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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after Donald Trump alleged a group of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and declared they should be taken into custody and penalized "with execution" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Message That Provoked the Controversy

The clip, published on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic congress members who previously acted in armed forces or security roles.

"Like us, you all took an oath to safeguard and support this constitution," the officials affirmed in the 90-second video. "Currently, the risks to our constitution are not only from abroad, but from right here at home. Our statutes are explicit, you can decline unlawful commands, you can refuse unlawful commands, you should reject improper directives. No one has to execute orders that violate the law or our constitution."

Trump's Angry Reply

The video message appeared to provoke a furious response from the former president.

On Thursday morning, Trump wrote on his preferred platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional message, he wrote: "This is really serious, and Harmful to our Nation. Their statements 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 reposted a statement that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Leaders React

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats released a joint statement condemning the remarks.

"Violent politics has no role in America," they stated. "Congress members who participated in the video all worked our country with exceptional national pride and excellence. We strongly censure Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful death threats against elected officials, and urge GOP representatives to vigorously do the same."

The opposition officials also stated that they had been in communication with security officials "to ensure the safety of these members and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these unhinged social media posts and withdraw his dangerous language before he causes harm," the statement continued.

Officials' Defiant Answer

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

"We identify as veterans and defense specialists who care for this United States and made an vow to protect and uphold the national charter of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we aim to maintain it. No intimidation, coercion, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred duty."

"The significant point is that the former president considers it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to restate the law," they continued. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their protection as they fulfill their oath to the constitution and duty to obey only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They stated: "All citizens must unite and condemn the former president's demands for our murder and political violence. This is a time for principled stance."

Further Partisan Comments

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's statements and shared on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is demanding the capital punishment of elected officials."

He added: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Every Senator, each house member, every American – without partisan consideration – should denounce this immediately and absolutely."

The GOP leader defended Trump's allegation that the Democrats had been involved in "sedition", describing the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "It is very dangerous, you have leading members of Congress advising troops to disobey orders, I think that's unprecedented in American history."

The GOP official also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the offense of treason" but that "legal experts have to examine the terminology and decide all that."

White House Statement

During a White House press conference on that day, when questioned by a journalist, "Does the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson responded: "No."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the spokesperson declared. "We see sitting members of the US Congress who conspired to organize a recorded statement to personnel of the US military, to active duty service members encouraging them to disobey the commander in chief's proper directives."

She added: "The sanctity of our defense system relies on the chain of command, and if that system is compromised, it can cause casualties, it can result in chaos, and that's what these elected officials ... are basically encouraging."