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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed outrage after former President Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and asserted they should be arrested and punished "by death" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Message That Triggered the Dispute

The recorded message, released on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who previously worked in armed forces or security positions.

"As we did, you all took an pledge to protect and defend this national charter," the representatives declared in the short video. "At present, the risks to our democratic foundation are not only from overseas, but from within our own country. Our laws are unambiguous, you can refuse illegal orders, you can decline illegal orders, you must refuse improper directives. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our national charter."

Trump's Furious Reaction

The video message reportedly prompt a angry reaction from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

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

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

Opposition Representatives React

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Democratic leadership published a combined announcement censuring the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no role in the United States," they declared. "Representatives who appeared in the video all acted our nation with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and harmful threats of violence against elected officials, and call on GOP representatives to vigorously do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to make certain the safety of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately take down these radical online messages and withdraw his dangerous rhetoric before he leads to violence," the declaration added.

Lawmakers' Strong Reaction

The officials who were featured in the video also released a declaration.

"We are former service members and defense specialists who value this United States and took an vow to safeguard and support the constitution of the United States," they stated. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we intend to honor it. No intimidation, coercion, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation."

"The most revealing aspect is that the former president deems it subject to penalty by execution for us to repeat the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should recognize that we have their backs as they fulfill their vow to the constitution and responsibility to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "Every American must join forces and denounce the president's requests for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a time for principled stance."

Further Partisan Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's comments and shared on social media: "It's important to understand: the President of the United States is demanding the execution of government members."

He continued: "This is an clear THREAT. All senators, each house member, all citizens – regardless of party – should condemn this without delay and without qualification."

The GOP leader justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "It is very harmful, you have important representatives of the government telling troops to disobey orders, I think that is historic in American history."

The Republican leader also reportedly told media outlets that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "defining the offense of sedition" but that "legal experts have to parse the wording and determine all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a White House press conference on later that day, when questioned by a media member, "Is the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary replied: "Certainly not."

"It's important to note about what the president is responding to," the official said. "There are sitting members of the American legislature who coordinated to orchestrate a video message to members of the national defense, to current military personnel advising them to disobey the president's proper directives."

She added: "The sanctity of our armed forces rests on the hierarchy, and if that system is broken, it can result in casualties, it can cause chaos, and that's what these elected officials ... are fundamentally supporting."