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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced fury after Donald Trump charged a contingent of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and stated they should be detained and penalized "through capital punishment" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Content That Provoked the Debate

The recorded message, released on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic congress members who previously served in military or intelligence capacities.

"As we did, you all took an oath to protect and uphold this founding document," the officials declared in the 90-second video. "Currently, the threats to our democratic foundation are not only from overseas, but from domestically. Our regulations are clear, you can refuse unlawful commands, you can refuse improper directives, you have to decline illegal orders. No one has to carry out directives that break the statutes or our founding principles."

Trump's Angry Response

The clip reportedly trigger a heated reply from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

In an additional message, he wrote: "This represents really serious, and Risky to our Country. Their statements cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also reposted a statement that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Officials Answer

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, House Democratic leader published a unified announcement censuring the comments.

"Political violence has no position in the United States," they wrote. "Representatives who were featured in the video all served our nation with exceptional patriotism and distinction. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's offensive and dangerous death threats against congressional representatives, and call on Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The opposition officials also stated that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to ensure the safety of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must without delay take down these radical online messages and retract his dangerous language before he gets someone killed," the declaration added.

Lawmakers' Strong Reaction

The officials who participated in the video also published a statement.

"We are ex-military personnel and national security professionals who value this United States and swore an vow to defend and uphold the founding document of the United States," they stated. "Our pledge continues forever, and we intend to honor it. No intimidation, coercion, or incitement will deter us from that fundamental responsibility."

"The significant point is that the president views it punishable by capital punishment for us to repeat the law," they continued. "Military personnel should know that we have their support as they execute their oath to the constitution and responsibility to adhere to only lawful orders. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our duty."

They added: "All citizens must unite and censure the ex-president's requests for our execution and political violence. This is a moment for moral clarity."

Additional Political Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's remarks and posted on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the former president is calling for the death of public representatives."

He continued: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. All senators, all representatives, 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 "sedition", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "This represents very dangerous, you have important representatives of the legislature telling military personnel to defy commands, I think that's unprecedented in US history."

The Conservative representative also reportedly informed journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "defining the violation of treason" but that "attorneys have to examine the terminology and decide all that."

White House Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a media member, "Would the president want to execute members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson answered: "Absolutely not."

"It's important to note about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the spokesperson stated. "There are current representatives of the federal government who worked together to orchestrate a video message to personnel of the US military, to current military personnel advising them to disobey the executive's lawful orders."

She stated: "The integrity of our military depends on the hierarchy, and if that system is compromised, it can cause casualties, it can result in confusion, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are fundamentally encouraging."