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Democratic officials expressed anger after the ex-president alleged a group of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and declared they should be detained and punished "through capital punishment" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Message That Triggered the Dispute

The clip, published on Tuesday, features six Democratic congress members who formerly served in military or defense roles.

"As we did, you all swore an oath to protect and uphold this constitution," the lawmakers declared in the 90-second video. "Currently, the dangers to our democratic foundation don't only come from overseas, but from within our own country. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can decline unlawful commands, you can refuse illegal orders, you have to decline unlawful commands. No one has to execute commands that break the law or our national charter."

Donald Trump's Incensed Reaction

The clip appeared to provoke a angry response from the former president.

On Thursday morning, Trump wrote on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional message, he stated: "This represents really concerning, and Harmful to our Country. Their statements cannot be enabled to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also redistributed a comment that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Representatives Respond

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader released a joint announcement denouncing the statements.

"Political violence has no position in the United States," they declared. "Representatives who appeared in the video all worked our United States with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's appalling and harmful threats of violence against congressional representatives, and call on House Republicans to strongly do the same."

The Democratic leaders also stated that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to guarantee the security of these officials and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these extreme digital publications and recant his dangerous rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the statement continued.

Lawmakers' Defiant Reaction

The representatives who participated in the video also issued a statement.

"We are former service members and defense specialists who value this country and took an oath to protect and support the national charter of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge continues forever, and we intend to honor it. No threat, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that sacred duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the president deems it punishable by capital punishment for us to restate the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should know that we have their protection as they execute their pledge to the founding principles and duty to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "Every American must join forces and denounce the president's calls for our death and political violence. This is a time for principled stance."

Further Partisan Comments

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's comments and published on online networks: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is calling for the capital punishment of government members."

He stated: "This is an direct THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this immediately and absolutely."

The GOP leader defended Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "treason", characterizing the video as "extremely improper", adding: "This represents very risky, you have prominent officials of Congress instructing troops to disobey orders, I think that's unprecedented in US history."

The Conservative representative also reportedly told media outlets that in what he read of Trump's posts, Trump was "explaining the violation of sedition" but that "attorneys have to parse the language and determine all that."

White House Response

During a White House press conference on that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Does the president want to kill members of Congress?", the White House press secretary answered: "Certainly not."

"It's important to note about what the president is addressing," the spokesperson said. "There are active officials of the federal government who worked together to organize a video message to individuals of the US military, to serving soldiers encouraging them to ignore the president's legal commands."

She stated: "The sanctity of our defense system depends on the hierarchy, and if that chain of command is violated, it can result in fatalities, it can cause confusion, and precisely what these congressional representatives ... are essentially supporting."