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Democratic officials voiced anger after former President Donald Trump alleged a group of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and declared they should be detained and penalized "through capital punishment" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Message That Triggered the Controversy

The recorded message, released on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who previously worked in armed forces or intelligence roles.

"Similar to us, you all took an vow to protect and defend this founding document," the officials declared in the 90-second video. "And right now, the risks to our governing document are not only from overseas, but from domestically. Our laws are unambiguous, you can refuse illegal orders, you can refuse improper directives, you should reject illegal orders. No one has to execute directives that violate the law or our constitution."

The Former President's Incensed Reaction

The video message seemed to provoke a angry reply 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 turncoats to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another post, he wrote: "This constitutes really concerning, and Harmful to our United States. Their words cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional message, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also shared a comment that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Representatives Respond

Following Trump's remarks on that day, Top Democrats published a combined declaration condemning the remarks.

"Violent politics has no position in America," they stated. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all acted our nation with tremendous patriotism and excellence. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's offensive and risky calls for execution against elected officials, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to forcefully do the same."

The Democratic leaders also stated that they had been in communication with law enforcement "to ensure the safety of these officials and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must right away take down these radical social media posts and retract his dangerous language before he causes harm," the statement added.

Lawmakers' Firm Reaction

The representatives who appeared in the video also published a declaration.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and defense specialists who value this country and swore an oath to protect and support the founding document of the United States," they stated. "That oath continues forever, and we intend to honor it. No threat, pressure, or call for violence will stop us from that important obligation."

"What's most telling is that the former president deems it punishable by capital punishment for us to restate the law," they continued. "Military personnel should know that we have their protection as they carry out their oath to the national charter and responsibility to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our obligation."

They stated: "All citizens must join forces and censure the president's requests for our murder and partisan aggression. This is a time for principled stance."

Further Partisan Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's statements and posted on digital platforms: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is calling for the death of government members."

He added: "This represents an clear THREAT. Every Senator, 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 been involved in "rebellion", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "It is very dangerous, you have prominent officials of the government advising military personnel to defy commands, I think that is unprecedented in US history."

The GOP official also according to sources informed journalists that in what he examined of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the violation of sedition" but that "lawyers have to analyze the language and establish all that."

White House Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when inquired by a reporter, "Would the president want to execute congressional representatives?", the administration spokesperson responded: "No."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the representative declared. "There are active officials of the federal government who coordinated to arrange a recorded statement to individuals of the US military, to current military personnel encouraging them to ignore the commander in chief's proper directives."

She added: "The purity of our military rests on the chain of command, and if that system is broken, it can result in casualties, it can cause disorder, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are basically promoting."