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Democratic officials expressed fury after Donald Trump charged a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and stated they should be arrested and punished "by death" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Recording That Triggered the Dispute

The clip, released on Tuesday, features six Democratic elected officials who formerly acted in defense or defense capacities.

"Like us, you all swore an oath to safeguard and uphold this constitution," the lawmakers stated in the brief video. "Currently, the threats to our governing document are not only from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear, you can decline illegal orders, you can refuse unlawful commands, you have to refuse improper directives. No one has to follow orders that contravene the legal system or our constitution."

The Former President's Incensed Reply

The recorded statement reportedly trigger a furious response from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

In another message, he wrote: "This represents really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Opposition Leaders React

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, Democratic leadership issued a joint declaration censuring the comments.

"Political violence has no position in the United States," they declared. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all worked our country with great national pride and excellence. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's appalling and dangerous calls for execution against congressional representatives, and appeal to GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in contact with protective services "to ensure the protection of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these extreme online messages and retract his dangerous language before he gets someone killed," the declaration added.

Representatives' Defiant Answer

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

"We identify as former service members and security experts who care for this United States and took an oath to defend and uphold the national charter of the United States," they stated. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to maintain it. No threat, pressure, or call for violence will deter us from that fundamental duty."

"What's most telling is that the ex-president deems it liable to punishment by death for us to reiterate the statutes," they added. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their support as they execute their oath to the founding principles and responsibility to follow only legal commands. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They stated: "The entire nation must join forces and censure the former president's demands for our execution and political violence. This is a time for principled stance."

Additional Political Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's remarks and posted on social media: "It's important to understand: the President of the United States is requesting the death of elected officials."

He stated: "This represents an clear THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, all citizens – regardless of party – should denounce this right away and absolutely."

The Conservative official justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had engaged in "treason", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This represents very risky, you have prominent officials of the legislature advising military personnel to ignore directives, I think that is historic in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also allegedly told journalists that in what he read of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the violation of treason" but that "attorneys have to examine the language and establish all that."

Administration Response

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when asked by a media member, "Does the president want to kill elected officials?", the White House press secretary replied: "Certainly not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is addressing," the representative stated. "You have active officials of the American legislature who conspired to organize a digital communication to personnel of the American armed forces, to current military personnel advising them to ignore the executive's proper directives."

She said: "The sanctity of our defense system rests on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is violated, it can cause fatalities, it can cause chaos, and that's what these members of Congress ... are basically encouraging."