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Democratic officials demonstrated anger after Donald Trump alleged a coalition of Democratic representatives of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be arrested and sentenced "with execution" following their posting of a controversial video.

The Message That Triggered the Debate

The video footage, shared on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who previously worked in armed forces or intelligence capacities.

"As we did, you all made an pledge to safeguard and support this founding document," the officials affirmed in the brief video. "At present, the dangers to our constitution are not only from abroad, but from within our own country. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can refuse improper directives, you can reject illegal orders, you have to reject illegal orders. No one has to follow commands that break the law or our national charter."

Donald Trump's Furious Reaction

The clip seemed to prompt a angry response from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

In another publication, he declared: "This constitutes really serious, and Dangerous to our United States. Their statements cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Leaders React

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Democratic leadership released a unified declaration condemning the statements.

"Political violence has no position in the United States," they wrote. "Elected officials who participated in the video all worked our nation with tremendous national pride and excellence. We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump's offensive and dangerous threats of violence against congressional representatives, and appeal to GOP representatives to strongly do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these unhinged social media posts and withdraw his dangerous language before he gets someone killed," the announcement continued.

Officials' Defiant Answer

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

"We identify as former service members and security experts who care for this country and made an pledge to defend and support the constitution of the United States," they stated. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or incitement will deter us from that important duty."

"The most revealing aspect is that the ex-president considers it subject to penalty by execution for us to repeat the statutes," they continued. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their support as they execute their pledge to the constitution and duty to follow only proper directives. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "Every American must come together and denounce the former president's demands for our murder and political violence. This is a period for principled stance."

Further Partisan Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured 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 continued: "This constitutes an clear THREAT. All senators, every Representative, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should denounce this immediately and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "This represents very dangerous, you have important representatives of the government telling troops to disobey orders, I think that is unprecedented in US history."

The Republican leader also reportedly told the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "defining the crime of treason" but that "attorneys have to parse the wording and decide all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Would the president want to execute elected officials?", the White House press secretary responded: "No."

"It's important to note about what the president is reacting to," the representative declared. "There are active officials of the US Congress who coordinated to arrange a digital communication to personnel of the national defense, to serving soldiers advising them to ignore the president's legal commands."

She added: "The purity of our defense system depends on the command structure, and if that system is broken, it can lead to casualties, it can result in confusion, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are essentially supporting."