🔗 Share this article

Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced outrage after the ex-president accused a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and asserted they should be taken into custody and sentenced "with execution" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Message That Provoked the Debate

The clip, published on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic elected officials who in the past acted in defense or defense positions.

"Like us, you all swore an pledge to defend and uphold this founding document," the representatives declared in the 90-second video. "And right now, the risks to our democratic foundation are not only from abroad, but from within our own country. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can decline unlawful commands, you can decline improper directives, you have to reject illegal orders. No one has to carry out directives that break the statutes or our constitution."

Trump's Incensed Reply

The video message seemed to trigger a furious response from the former president.

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

In another post, he declared: "This is really serious, and Harmful to our Country. Their statements cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent message, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also redistributed a statement that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Officials Answer

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, House Democratic leader released a joint declaration denouncing the statements.

"Political violence has no role in this nation," they stated. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all worked our country with tremendous loyalty and honor. We unequivocally denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and dangerous calls for execution against elected officials, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to vigorously do the same."

The party representatives also stated that they had been in communication with protective services "to guarantee the security of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these unhinged digital publications and recant his dangerous rhetoric before he causes harm," the statement continued.

Officials' Strong Reaction

The lawmakers who appeared in the video also released a declaration.

"We serve as veterans and defense specialists who value this United States and made an pledge to defend and support the founding document of the United States," they declared. "This commitment continues forever, and we aim to maintain it. No intimidation, coercion, or incitement will stop us from that important responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the president considers it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to repeat the statutes," they added. "Our service members should understand that we have their protection as they fulfill their pledge to the national charter and responsibility to follow only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "All citizens must join forces and denounce the president's calls for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a time for ethical certainty."

More Governmental Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's remarks and posted on digital platforms: "It's important to understand: the former president is demanding the capital punishment of public representatives."

He stated: "This is an outright THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this right away and absolutely."

The Republican House speaker justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This constitutes very risky, you have leading members of the legislature instructing soldiers to defy commands, I think that's historic in US history."

The Republican leader also allegedly informed journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the offense of sedition" but that "lawyers have to examine the wording and decide all that."

White House Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when inquired by a media member, "Is the president want to kill elected officials?", the White House press secretary answered: "Absolutely not."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the representative said. "You have current representatives of the American legislature who worked together to organize a video message to members of the US military, to current military personnel advising them to ignore the executive's legal commands."

She stated: "The sanctity of our armed forces depends on the command structure, and if that chain of command is violated, it can result in people getting killed, it can result in disorder, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally supporting."