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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed outrage after the ex-president accused a group of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and declared they should be arrested and punished "through capital punishment" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Recording That Triggered the Debate

The clip, published on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who formerly served in military or security roles.

"As we did, you all made an oath to safeguard and defend this constitution," the officials affirmed in the brief video. "Currently, the dangers to our constitution are not only from foreign nations, but from right here at home. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can reject improper directives, you can refuse illegal orders, you must reject unlawful commands. No one has to execute directives that violate the statutes or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Furious Reaction

The video message seemed to prompt a heated reaction from the former president.

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

In another message, he wrote: "This represents really bad, and Risky to our Nation. Their comments 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 redistributed a comment that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Officials React

Following Trump's comments on that day, Top Democrats published a unified announcement denouncing the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no role in the United States," they wrote. "Representatives who appeared in the video all worked our United States with exceptional patriotism and excellence. We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump's offensive and dangerous threats of violence against elected officials, and appeal to House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in touch with protective services "to make certain the safety of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these radical social media posts and recant his aggressive language before he causes harm," the statement added.

Officials' Strong Reaction

The lawmakers who were featured in the video also published a response.

"We serve as ex-military personnel and national security professionals who love this country and made an pledge to protect and support the founding document of the United States," they said. "Our pledge continues forever, and we plan to maintain it. No threat, pressure, or incitement will prevent us from that fundamental duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the president deems it punishable by death for us to reiterate the law," they stated. "Armed forces members should know that we have their backs as they carry out their oath to the national charter and responsibility to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "All citizens must come together and censure the ex-president's calls for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a time for ethical certainty."

Further Partisan Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's remarks and posted on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the President of the United States is demanding the capital punishment of government members."

He added: "This represents an clear THREAT. Every Senator, each house member, all citizens – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this immediately and without qualification."

The GOP leader justified Trump's assertion that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "This represents very dangerous, you have important representatives of Congress advising troops to defy commands, I think that's without precedent in American history."

The GOP official also allegedly told journalists that in what he examined of Trump's publications, Trump was "defining the offense of treason" but that "legal experts have to examine the language and determine all that."

Administration Statement

During a administration briefing on later that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Does the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the executive branch representative answered: "No."

"We should understand about what the president is responding to," the official declared. "There are current representatives of the federal government who worked together to organize a recorded statement to personnel of the US military, to current military personnel urging them to ignore the president's lawful orders."

She added: "The integrity of our military relies on the command structure, and if that chain of command is broken, it can result in casualties, it can result in chaos, and that's what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally supporting."