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Democratic officials demonstrated anger after the ex-president charged a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and declared they should be arrested and sentenced "by death" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Message That Sparked the Controversy

The clip, released on earlier this week, features six Democratic lawmakers who previously worked in defense or defense capacities.

"Similar to us, you all swore an vow to safeguard and uphold this founding document," the officials declared in the brief video. "At present, the risks to our democratic foundation don't only come from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our laws are explicit, you can reject illegal orders, you can decline improper directives, you must refuse unlawful commands. No one has to follow orders that violate the law or our constitution."

The Former President's Angry Response

The recorded statement reportedly provoke a furious response from the ex-president.

On later in the week, Trump posted on his preferred platform: "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 stated: "This is really bad, and Harmful to our Nation. Their statements cannot be allowed to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent publication, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a statement that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Democratic Leaders Respond

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a combined declaration denouncing the statements.

"Violent politics has no position in this nation," they declared. "Representatives who participated in the video all acted our country with great loyalty and excellence. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and risky threats of violence against members of Congress, and call on House Republicans to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in contact with law enforcement "to guarantee the security of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these extreme digital publications and retract his dangerous discourse before he gets someone killed," the declaration added.

Officials' Firm Answer

The officials who appeared in the video also published a response.

"We are ex-military personnel and defense specialists who care for this country and made an vow to defend and defend the constitution of the United States," they stated. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to honor it. No threat, coercion, or incitement will deter us from that sacred obligation."

"The significant point is that the president deems it liable to punishment by death for us to restate the law," they stated. "Armed forces members should understand that we have their backs as they fulfill their pledge to the national charter and obligation to obey only proper directives. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our obligation."

They stated: "Every American must unite and condemn the former president's calls for our death and ideological conflict. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Partisan Comments

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's comments and posted on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the capital punishment of public representatives."

He added: "This represents an clear THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, every American – without partisan consideration – should condemn this without delay and absolutely."

The Republican House speaker justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "It is very risky, you have leading members of the government telling military personnel to ignore directives, I think that's historic in US history."

The GOP official also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "explaining the offense of treason" but that "attorneys have to parse the terminology and determine all that."

White House Response

During a executive branch meeting on that day, when asked by a journalist, "Is the president want to kill members of Congress?", the White House press secretary replied: "No."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the official said. "There are active officials of the American legislature who worked together to arrange a video message to members of the American armed forces, to current military personnel advising them to disobey the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She said: "The integrity of our military relies on the chain of command, and if that structure is compromised, it can result in fatalities, it can cause chaos, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are essentially encouraging."