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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed fury after Donald Trump accused a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and asserted they should be taken into custody and penalized "through capital punishment" following their posting of a controversial video.

The Message That Triggered the Debate

The recorded message, released on earlier this week, includes six Democratic congress members who previously acted in military or defense roles.

"Like us, you all made an pledge to protect and uphold this national charter," the representatives affirmed in the short video. "And right now, the risks to our governing document don't only come from abroad, but from domestically. Our regulations are explicit, you can refuse improper directives, you can reject improper directives, you have to reject illegal orders. No one has to follow commands that contravene the statutes or our national charter."

Trump's Angry Reaction

The video message seemed to provoke a furious reaction from the former president.

On Thursday morning, Trump posted on his social media platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another message, he declared: "This is really concerning, and Harmful to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Officials Respond

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, House Democratic leader published a unified announcement denouncing the statements.

"Violent politics has no place in this nation," they wrote. "Congress members who participated in the video all served our United States with exceptional national pride and distinction. We clearly censure Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful death threats against congressional representatives, and appeal to House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The opposition officials also said that they had been in contact with protective services "to guarantee the safety of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these radical online messages and withdraw his dangerous discourse before he causes harm," the statement continued.

Lawmakers' Defiant Response

The lawmakers who participated in the video also issued a response.

"We identify as veterans and national security professionals who love this United States and made an oath to protect and uphold the national charter of the United States," they stated. "This commitment lasts a lifetime, and we plan to keep it. No intimidation, pressure, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that fundamental duty."

"The significant point is that the ex-president views it liable to punishment by death for us to reiterate the law," they added. "Military personnel should recognize that we have their backs 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 continued: "The entire nation must join forces and censure the former president's calls for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a time for principled stance."

More Partisan Reactions

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's statements and posted on social media: "It's important to understand: the former president is requesting the death of public representatives."

He stated: "This constitutes an clear THREAT. All senators, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should denounce this right away and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "This constitutes very harmful, you have leading members of the legislature advising troops to defy commands, I think that represents without precedent in American history."

The Conservative representative also reportedly informed journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the violation of sedition" but that "legal experts have to analyze the wording and establish all that."

Executive Branch Response

During a White House press conference on that day, when asked by a journalist, "Would the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson responded: "Certainly not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is responding to," the official stated. "We see current representatives of the federal government who conspired to arrange a digital communication to individuals of the national defense, to serving soldiers advising them to ignore the commander in chief's legal commands."

She added: "The sanctity of our military depends on the command structure, and if that system is compromised, it can result in casualties, it can lead to disorder, and that's what these elected officials ... are basically supporting."