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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated outrage after Donald Trump accused a coalition of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and asserted they should be taken into custody and punished "through capital punishment" following their release of a contentious video.

The Message That Sparked the Controversy

The recorded message, published on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic congress members who in the past worked in defense or security capacities.

"Like us, you all made an vow to defend and defend this constitution," the lawmakers declared in the brief video. "At present, the dangers to our governing document don't only come from overseas, but from domestically. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can refuse illegal orders, you must refuse unlawful commands. No one has to follow commands that break the statutes or our national charter."

Trump's Furious Reply

The recorded statement reportedly prompt a angry reply from the ex-president.

On later in the week, Trump published on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate post, he declared: "This constitutes really bad, and Harmful to our United States. Their words cannot be permitted to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Leaders Answer

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader released a joint statement censuring the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no place in this nation," they wrote. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all acted our nation with exceptional loyalty and excellence. We clearly condemn Donald Trump's offensive and risky death threats against elected officials, and urge GOP representatives to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in contact with law enforcement "to make certain the protection of these officials and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these radical online messages and recant his aggressive rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the declaration continued.

Lawmakers' Defiant Response

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

"We are former service members and national security professionals who care for this country and took an vow to safeguard and uphold the national charter of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge continues forever, and we aim to maintain it. No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will prevent us from that sacred obligation."

"What's most telling is that the ex-president considers it liable to punishment by execution for us to reiterate the law," they continued. "Military personnel should know that we have their protection as they carry out their oath to the national charter and responsibility to follow only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "Every American must join forces and condemn the ex-president's requests for our execution and political violence. This is a time for principled stance."

Additional Partisan Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's remarks and shared on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the former president is calling for the execution of government members."

He added: "This is an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, every American – regardless of party – should denounce this immediately and unconditionally."

The GOP leader justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", labeling the video as "extremely improper", adding: "This constitutes very risky, you have prominent officials of the legislature instructing military personnel to defy commands, I think that is historic in the nation's past."

The GOP official also reportedly told media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the crime of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to examine the wording and establish all that."

Executive Branch Statement

During a White House press conference on that day, when questioned by a media member, "Is the president want to execute elected officials?", the White House press secretary replied: "Certainly not."

"Let's be clear about what the former president is reacting to," the official declared. "There are current representatives of the US Congress who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to members of the US military, to current military personnel urging them to defy the executive's legal commands."

She added: "The purity of our military rests on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is violated, it can lead to people getting killed, it can result in chaos, and that is exactly what these elected officials ... are basically encouraging."