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Democratic officials voiced outrage after the ex-president accused a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be taken into custody and punished "by death" following their release of a contentious video.

The Message That Provoked the Controversy

The video footage, released on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic elected officials who formerly acted in armed forces or intelligence positions.

"Like us, you all made an vow to protect and support this national charter," the lawmakers stated in the brief video. "Currently, the risks to our governing document are not only from foreign nations, but from right here at home. Our laws are unambiguous, you can reject unlawful commands, you can refuse unlawful commands, you have to decline illegal orders. No one has to follow orders that violate the statutes or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Angry Reaction

The clip reportedly prompt a angry response from the previous commander-in-chief.

On later in the week, Trump posted on his preferred platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate message, he wrote: "This is really bad, and Risky to our Nation. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent post, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Representatives Respond

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader released a combined declaration censuring the comments.

"Violent politics has no position in America," they stated. "Elected officials who participated in the video all acted our country with exceptional national pride and excellence. We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump's appalling and dangerous threats of violence against members of Congress, and urge Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in communication with protective services "to make certain the security of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these extreme online messages and withdraw his aggressive rhetoric before he leads to violence," the announcement stated.

Officials' Firm Response

The lawmakers who appeared in the video also published a statement.

"We are former service members and security experts who value this country and took an oath to safeguard and defend the national charter of the United States," they stated. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we aim to maintain it. No threat, pressure, or call for violence will stop us from that important responsibility."

"The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president considers it subject to penalty by execution for us to repeat the law," they added. "Armed forces members should understand that we have their support as they carry out their oath to the founding principles and obligation to follow only proper directives. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our duty."

They stated: "The entire nation must unite and censure the president's requests for our death and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity."

More Partisan Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's statements and posted on digital platforms: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is requesting the capital punishment of government members."

He continued: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, every American – irrespective of political affiliation – should condemn this without delay and absolutely."

The Conservative official justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", describing the video as "extremely improper", adding: "It is very risky, you have prominent officials of Congress advising troops to ignore directives, I think that is without precedent in American history."

The Republican leader also reportedly stated to the press that in what he examined of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the violation of sedition" but that "attorneys have to examine the language and determine all that."

Administration Response

During a executive branch meeting on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a media member, "Does the president want to execute elected officials?", the administration spokesperson responded: "Absolutely not."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the official stated. "You have sitting members of the federal government who worked together to organize a recorded statement to individuals of the American armed forces, to active duty service members urging them to ignore the president's proper directives."

She stated: "The integrity of our armed forces relies on the command structure, and if that chain of command is broken, it can lead to people getting killed, it can cause chaos, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally supporting."