🔗 Share this article

Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated fury after the ex-president alleged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and asserted they should be arrested and penalized "by death" following their posting of a controversial video.

The Recording That Triggered the Debate

The clip, shared on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who in the past acted in defense or intelligence capacities.

"Like us, you all swore an oath to defend and support this national charter," the lawmakers stated in the 90-second video. "At present, the threats to our governing document don't only come from foreign nations, but from right here at home. Our regulations are explicit, you can reject illegal orders, you can decline illegal orders, you have to decline unlawful commands. No one has to execute directives that violate the law or our national charter."

The Former President's Furious Reply

The video message appeared to provoke a angry response from the ex-president.

On Thursday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional post, he stated: "This represents really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their statements cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Leaders Respond

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, House Democratic leader issued a unified declaration censuring the statements.

"Political violence has no role in the United States," they declared. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all served our country with exceptional patriotism and distinction. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's appalling and harmful calls for execution against elected officials, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in touch with protective services "to make certain the protection of these officials and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must without delay take down these extreme online messages and withdraw his dangerous rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the announcement continued.

Officials' Strong Response

The officials who were featured in the video also released a declaration.

"We serve as ex-military personnel and security experts who value this country and took an pledge to safeguard and uphold the national charter of the United States," they declared. "This commitment is permanent, and we plan to maintain it. No intimidation, pressure, or incitement will deter us from that sacred obligation."

"What's most telling is that the ex-president views it liable to punishment by death for us to restate the statutes," they added. "Our service members should recognize that we have their support as they carry out their pledge to the national charter and obligation to adhere to only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They stated: "All citizens must come together and denounce the president's calls for our murder and partisan aggression. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Political Comments

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's remarks and shared on online networks: "It's important to understand: the former president is calling for the death of public representatives."

He stated: "This is an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, the entire nation – regardless of party – should censure this right away and unconditionally."

The Republican House speaker defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "It is very harmful, you have leading members of the legislature instructing soldiers to ignore directives, I think that is historic in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also allegedly told journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the offense of sedition" but that "legal experts have to examine the wording and establish all that."

White House Response

During a executive branch meeting on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a reporter, "Would the president want to execute members of Congress?", the executive branch representative replied: "Absolutely not."

"It's important to note about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the representative declared. "There are active officials of the American legislature who conspired to arrange a video message to members of the national defense, to current military personnel advising them to defy the commander in chief's legal commands."

She added: "The sanctity of our defense system depends on the command structure, and if that structure is violated, it can lead to people getting killed, it can result in chaos, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally supporting."