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Democratic officials voiced fury after Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and declared they should be detained and sentenced "with execution" following their release of a controversial video.

The Content That Triggered the Controversy

The video footage, released on Tuesday, includes six Democratic elected officials who in the past worked in armed forces or defense roles.

"Similar to us, you all took an pledge to safeguard and support this constitution," the representatives declared in the short video. "Currently, the risks to our constitution are not only from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our regulations are clear, you can decline illegal orders, you can refuse illegal orders, you should decline unlawful commands. No one has to carry out commands that violate the statutes or our national charter."

The Former President's Incensed Response

The video message seemed to provoke a angry reply from the previous commander-in-chief.

On Thursday morning, Trump published on his preferred 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 an additional publication, he wrote: "This represents really bad, and Harmful to our United States. Their statements cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Leaders Answer

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Democratic leadership issued a unified declaration censuring the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no place in America," they wrote. "Representatives who appeared in the video all served our United States with exceptional loyalty and excellence. We strongly censure Donald Trump's appalling and risky threats of violence against congressional representatives, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

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

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these radical social media posts and retract his violent discourse before he causes harm," the announcement added.

Officials' Strong Answer

The lawmakers who participated in the video also released a statement.

"We identify as veterans and defense specialists who love this nation and took an oath to protect and defend the founding document of the United States," they declared. "That oath is permanent, and we plan to keep it. No threat, intimidation, or incitement will stop us from that fundamental obligation."

"What's most telling is that the president deems it liable to punishment by execution for us to reiterate the law," they continued. "Armed forces members should know that we have their protection as they execute their vow to the national charter and obligation to obey only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They added: "The entire nation must join forces and censure the president's calls for our murder and political violence. This is a period for ethical certainty."

More Governmental Responses

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's remarks and posted on social media: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is calling for the capital punishment of elected officials."

He continued: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. All senators, every Representative, all citizens – irrespective of political affiliation – should censure this right away and without qualification."

The Conservative official defended Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "treason", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "This represents very risky, you have prominent officials of the government instructing military personnel to defy commands, I think that represents historic in American history."

The GOP official also reportedly stated to journalists that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "explaining the violation of treason" but that "lawyers have to parse the language and decide all that."

Administration Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on that day, when questioned by a reporter, "Would the president want to execute members of Congress?", the White House press secretary responded: "Absolutely not."

"It's important to note about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the representative stated. "We see current representatives of the federal government who worked together to organize a video message to members of the US military, to active duty service members urging them to ignore the president's proper directives."

She added: "The integrity of our defense system depends on the hierarchy, and if that structure is violated, it can result in casualties, it can result in confusion, and that is exactly what these elected officials ... are fundamentally supporting."