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Democratic officials voiced fury after former President Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic representatives of being "turncoats" and stated they should be arrested and penalized "by death" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Message That Provoked the Controversy

The video footage, released on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who previously worked in armed forces or defense positions.

"As we did, you all swore an oath to defend and support this constitution," the lawmakers declared in the brief video. "And right now, the risks to our constitution don't only come from abroad, but from within our own country. Our laws are unambiguous, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can refuse unlawful commands, you have to refuse illegal orders. No one has to execute commands that violate the legal system or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Incensed Reply

The recorded statement seemed to provoke a heated reaction from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

In another post, he stated: "This is really concerning, and Risky to our Nation. Their comments cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Leaders Answer

Following Trump's comments on that day, Democratic leadership published a joint statement censuring the statements.

"Political violence has no place in the United States," they wrote. "Congress members who participated in the video all worked our United States with exceptional patriotism and excellence. We strongly censure Donald Trump's offensive and risky death threats against members of Congress, and call on House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in communication with security officials "to guarantee the security of these officials and their families."

"Donald Trump must without delay take down these radical digital publications and withdraw his violent rhetoric before he leads to violence," the statement stated.

Officials' Strong Answer

The officials who appeared in the video also released a declaration.

"We serve as ex-military personnel and security experts who care for this United States and swore an vow to safeguard and defend the founding document of the United States," they stated. "This commitment lasts a lifetime, and we aim to keep it. No intimidation, pressure, or incitement will prevent us from that sacred obligation."

"What's most telling is that the president views it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to repeat the statutes," they stated. "Armed forces members should know that we have their support as they execute their vow to the constitution and obligation to obey only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our responsibility."

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

More Governmental Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's statements and shared on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is calling for the execution of public representatives."

He stated: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, every American – regardless of party – should condemn this right away and absolutely."

The GOP leader justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", characterizing the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "It is very harmful, you have important representatives of the government telling soldiers to disobey orders, I think that's historic in American history."

The Republican leader also reportedly told the press that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "defining the offense of treason" but that "legal experts have to analyze the language and decide all that."

Administration Reaction

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a journalist, "Is the president want to execute elected officials?", the administration spokesperson replied: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is reacting to," the spokesperson declared. "You have current representatives of the American legislature who coordinated to orchestrate a video message to members of the American armed forces, to current military personnel encouraging them to ignore the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She added: "The integrity of our defense system relies on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is violated, it can result in people getting killed, it can result in chaos, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are basically promoting."