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Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated fury after the ex-president charged a group of Democratic legislators of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be arrested and punished "with execution" following their release of a contentious video.

The Content That Sparked the Controversy

The video footage, released on earlier this week, features six Democratic lawmakers who formerly served in military or defense positions.

"Similar to us, you all took an oath to safeguard and support this founding document," the officials affirmed in the 90-second video. "Currently, the threats to our democratic foundation don't only come from overseas, but from right here at home. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can decline unlawful commands, you can refuse unlawful commands, you must reject illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that break the law or our founding principles."

Trump's Incensed Response

The recorded statement reportedly prompt a furious response from the previous commander-in-chief.

On Thursday morning, Trump wrote on his social media platform: "It's called 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 constitutes really concerning, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their statements cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent post, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Representatives React

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a joint statement censuring the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no role in America," they stated. "Elected officials who participated in the video all served our country with great loyalty and honor. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful death threats against elected officials, and call on Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also stated that they had been in touch with protective services "to guarantee the security of these members and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away take down these extreme online messages and retract his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the declaration added.

Officials' Defiant Response

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

"We identify as former service members and national security professionals who value this nation and made an vow to defend and uphold the founding document of the United States," they said. "This commitment continues forever, and we aim to keep it. No intimidation, coercion, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that sacred responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the president considers it punishable by execution for us to restate the statutes," they stated. "Military personnel should understand that we have their backs as they carry out their vow to the constitution and obligation to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They stated: "Every American must come together and denounce the former president's calls for our murder and political violence. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Partisan Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's statements and published on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the capital punishment of public representatives."

He continued: "This is an clear 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 allegation that the Democrats had engaged in "sedition", describing the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have prominent officials of the legislature advising troops to disobey orders, I think that represents unprecedented in the nation's past."

The Conservative representative also reportedly stated to journalists that in what he examined of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the crime of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to analyze the terminology and establish all that."

Administration Reaction

During a administration briefing on later that day, when inquired by a journalist, "Would the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the White House press secretary responded: "No."

"We should understand about what the former president is reacting to," the representative declared. "You have current representatives of the American legislature who coordinated to organize a digital communication to personnel of the national defense, to active duty service members urging them to ignore the executive's proper directives."

She added: "The purity of our military rests on the command structure, and if that system is compromised, it can lead to fatalities, it can lead to disorder, and precisely what these congressional representatives ... are essentially encouraging."