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Democratic officials expressed anger after former President Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic congress members of being "betrayers" and declared they should be taken into custody and penalized "by death" following their release of a controversial video.

The Message That Provoked the Debate

The recorded message, published on earlier this week, includes six Democratic lawmakers who formerly worked in armed forces or intelligence positions.

"Similar to us, you all took an oath to protect and uphold this constitution," the officials affirmed in the brief video. "And right now, the dangers to our constitution aren't just from overseas, but from domestically. Our statutes are clear, you can reject improper directives, you can reject improper directives, you have to reject improper directives. No one has to carry out commands that break the legal system or our founding principles."

Trump's Furious Reaction

The clip reportedly prompt a heated response from the ex-president.

On later in the week, Trump wrote on his social media platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional publication, he stated: "This constitutes really bad, and Risky to our United States. Their statements cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third post, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Leaders React

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Democratic leadership released a unified declaration condemning the comments.

"Violent politics has no position in the United States," they stated. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all worked our nation with tremendous patriotism and excellence. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's appalling and dangerous threats of violence against congressional representatives, and appeal to GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The opposition officials also stated that they had been in communication with protective services "to ensure the security of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately remove these extreme social media posts and withdraw his dangerous language before he gets someone killed," the statement added.

Officials' Strong Answer

The officials who were featured in the video also issued a statement.

"We serve as veterans and security experts who care for this country and made an pledge to safeguard and defend the constitution of the United States," they stated. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we aim to maintain it. No threat, intimidation, or incitement will stop us from that sacred obligation."

"The significant point is that the ex-president views it liable to punishment by death for us to reiterate the law," they continued. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their protection as they fulfill their oath to the founding principles and obligation to adhere to only lawful orders. 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 death and political violence. This is a moment for moral clarity."

Additional Political Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's remarks and posted on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is demanding the execution of government members."

He continued: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, every American – regardless of party – should condemn this without delay and absolutely."

The GOP leader supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had been involved in "sedition", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This represents very dangerous, you have leading members of the legislature advising military personnel to disobey orders, I think that represents without precedent in American history."

The Republican leader also according to sources informed media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's publications, Trump was "defining the violation of rebellion" but that "lawyers have to analyze the wording and decide all that."

White House Response

During a White House press conference on that day, when asked by a reporter, "Is the president want to execute members of Congress?", the White House press secretary replied: "Certainly not."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the representative declared. "You have current representatives of the US Congress who worked together to arrange a recorded statement to members of the national defense, to current military personnel encouraging them to disobey the president's lawful orders."

She stated: "The sanctity of our armed forces rests on the command structure, and if that chain of command is violated, it can result in fatalities, it can result in chaos, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally encouraging."