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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic legislators of being "betrayers" and declared they should be taken into custody and sentenced "by death" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Content That Triggered the Dispute

The recorded message, shared on earlier this week, features six Democratic elected officials who previously acted in military or security roles.

"Like us, you all made an oath to defend and uphold this constitution," the lawmakers affirmed in the 90-second video. "And right now, the risks to our democratic foundation aren't just from overseas, but from domestically. Our laws are explicit, you can reject illegal orders, you can decline illegal orders, you should refuse illegal orders. No one has to follow orders that contravene the statutes or our national charter."

Donald Trump's Incensed Reaction

The video message seemed to prompt a heated response from the previous commander-in-chief.

On Thursday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate publication, he wrote: "This represents really bad, and Dangerous to our United States. Their comments cannot be permitted to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a third post, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also redistributed a statement that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Officials React

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Democratic leadership released a joint announcement condemning the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no position in the United States," they stated. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all acted our United States with great national pride and distinction. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's offensive and dangerous death threats against members of Congress, and urge GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The party representatives also stated that they had been in touch with security officials "to make certain the protection of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must without delay take down these unhinged online messages and withdraw his dangerous discourse before he gets someone killed," the announcement continued.

Representatives' Firm Response

The representatives who were featured in the video also published a declaration.

"We serve as former service members and national security professionals who care for this nation and took an vow to defend and uphold the constitution of the United States," they declared. "This commitment is permanent, and we plan to keep it. No threat, pressure, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that sacred obligation."

"The significant point is that the former president deems it subject to penalty by death for us to repeat the legal requirements," they stated. "Our service members should know that we have their support as they execute their oath to the founding principles and obligation to follow only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "Every American must join forces and censure the president's demands for our death and partisan aggression. This is a moment for ethical certainty."

Additional Governmental Responses

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's remarks and posted on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the execution of government members."

He added: "This is an outright THREAT. All senators, each house member, all citizens – regardless of party – should denounce this without delay and absolutely."

The GOP leader justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", describing the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "It is very harmful, you have prominent officials of the legislature telling soldiers to disobey orders, I think that represents historic in American history."

The Republican leader also reportedly informed the press that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the offense of rebellion" but that "attorneys have to parse the language and decide all that."

White House Statement

During a executive branch meeting on that day, when inquired by a media member, "Is the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the executive branch representative answered: "Absolutely not."

"It's important to note about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the representative stated. "You have current representatives of the federal government who worked together to organize a video message to personnel of the American armed forces, to current military personnel advising them to disobey the executive's lawful orders."

She stated: "The purity of our defense system relies on the hierarchy, and if that system is violated, it can result in fatalities, it can lead to confusion, and precisely what these elected officials ... are essentially supporting."