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Democratic officials voiced fury after the ex-president accused a coalition of Democratic legislators of being "turncoats" and declared they should be detained and penalized "through capital punishment" following their release of a disputed video.

The Content That Triggered the Dispute

The video footage, released on Tuesday, includes six Democratic elected officials who formerly worked in armed forces or defense capacities.

"Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this constitution," the lawmakers affirmed in the 90-second video. "And right now, the threats to our democratic foundation aren't just from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our regulations are explicit, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can refuse illegal orders, you should reject illegal orders. No one has to follow commands that contravene the legal system or our constitution."

Trump's Furious Reaction

The clip appeared to trigger a heated reply from the ex-president.

On the following morning, Trump posted on Truth Social: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another publication, he stated: "This represents really bad, and Risky to our United States. Their statements cannot be permitted to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional message, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Officials React

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a joint declaration condemning the comments.

"Partisan aggression has no position in this nation," they declared. "Congress members who participated in the video all served our country with great loyalty and distinction. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's appalling and harmful calls for execution against members of Congress, and call on House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to make certain the security of these officials and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these radical digital publications and recant his dangerous language before he gets someone killed," the declaration continued.

Officials' Strong Reaction

The representatives who participated in the video also issued a declaration.

"We are ex-military personnel and security experts who love this nation and made an oath to safeguard and support the national charter of the United States," they stated. "Our pledge continues forever, and we aim to honor it. No intimidation, pressure, or call for violence will stop us from that important responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the former president deems it punishable by execution for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they continued. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their support as they carry out their vow to the constitution and duty to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "All citizens must come together and censure the ex-president's demands for our death and political violence. This is a moment for moral clarity."

Further Partisan Comments

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's comments and published on online networks: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the death of elected officials."

He stated: "This represents an outright THREAT. Every Senator, each house member, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should condemn this right away and absolutely."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "It is very dangerous, you have leading members of Congress instructing soldiers to disobey orders, I think that's unprecedented in US history."

The Republican leader also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the violation of sedition" but that "legal experts have to parse the wording and establish all that."

Administration Statement

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a reporter, "Would the president want to put to death congressional representatives?", the executive branch representative replied: "No."

"We should understand about what the president is addressing," the official said. "You have active officials of the American legislature who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to members of the American armed forces, to current military personnel urging them to disobey the president's lawful orders."

She said: "The purity of our armed forces rests on the command structure, and if that structure is violated, it can cause fatalities, it can result in confusion, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally supporting."