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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated anger after former President Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and stated they should be detained and punished "through capital punishment" following their release of a disputed video.

The Recording That Provoked the Dispute

The video footage, published on earlier this week, features six Democratic congress members who formerly acted in military or security capacities.

"As we did, you all took an vow to protect and support this founding document," the officials affirmed in the brief video. "At present, the threats to our governing document are not only from abroad, but from domestically. Our regulations are explicit, you can refuse illegal orders, you can reject unlawful commands, you have to reject illegal orders. No one has to execute directives that violate the legal system or our national charter."

The Former President's Furious Reply

The recorded statement reportedly trigger a furious reply from the ex-president.

On the following morning, Trump posted on his preferred platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional post, he wrote: "This represents really bad, and Dangerous to our United States. Their words cannot be enabled to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Representatives React

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

"Partisan aggression has no role in this nation," they stated. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all worked our nation with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and risky death threats against members of Congress, and urge Republican lawmakers to forcefully do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must right away take down these extreme online messages and withdraw his aggressive language before he causes harm," the statement continued.

Officials' Firm Answer

The lawmakers who appeared in the video also released a response.

"We are veterans and national security professionals who love this nation and made an oath to protect and uphold the constitution of the United States," they said. "That oath is permanent, and we aim to maintain it. No intimidation, coercion, or incitement will stop us from that important obligation."

"The significant point is that the president deems it punishable by death for us to reiterate the law," they continued. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their protection as they fulfill their vow to the founding principles and responsibility to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "Every American must unite and censure the president's demands for our execution and political violence. This is a moment for principled stance."

Further Political Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's remarks and shared on online networks: "It's important to understand: the former president is calling for the death of elected officials."

He added: "This represents an clear THREAT. All senators, every Representative, every American – irrespective of political affiliation – should condemn this without delay and unconditionally."

The GOP leader defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", characterizing the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "It is very harmful, you have leading members of the legislature instructing soldiers to ignore directives, I think that represents without precedent in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also according to sources told the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the offense of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to examine the language and decide all that."

Administration Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when questioned by a media member, "Would the president want to put to death elected officials?", the White House press secretary responded: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is responding to," the spokesperson said. "We see current representatives of the American legislature who conspired to arrange a recorded statement to members of the national defense, to current military personnel advising them to ignore the executive's legal commands."

She added: "The purity of our defense system depends on the command structure, and if that system is compromised, it can result in casualties, it can cause disorder, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally encouraging."