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Democratic officials voiced outrage after Donald Trump alleged a coalition of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and declared they should be arrested and penalized "by death" following their posting of a contentious video.

The Recording That Provoked the Dispute

The clip, released on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic elected officials who previously acted in military or intelligence capacities.

"Like us, you all swore an vow to safeguard and uphold this constitution," the officials declared in the 90-second video. "At present, the dangers to our democratic foundation don't only come from overseas, but from right here at home. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can refuse improper directives, you can refuse illegal orders, you have to decline unlawful commands. No one has to carry out directives that break the law or our national charter."

The Former President's Incensed Reply

The clip seemed to trigger a heated reaction from the former president.

On later in the week, Trump wrote on his social media platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In a separate message, he declared: "This is really concerning, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be permitted to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Leaders Answer

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a combined statement condemning the comments.

"Partisan aggression has no position in the United States," they declared. "Congress members who were featured in the video all acted our nation with great patriotism and honor. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and dangerous calls for execution against elected officials, and urge House Republicans to vigorously do the same."

The opposition officials also said that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to make certain the security of these members and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these extreme online messages and retract his dangerous rhetoric before he leads to violence," the announcement stated.

Officials' Strong Reaction

The officials who were featured in the video also issued a declaration.

"We are ex-military personnel and national security professionals who care for this nation and took an pledge to defend and defend the constitution of the United States," they said. "Our pledge lasts a lifetime, and we aim to honor it. No threat, pressure, or incitement will stop us from that sacred duty."

"The significant point is that the president considers it punishable by execution for us to repeat the statutes," they added. "Military personnel should know that we have their protection as they carry out their vow to the national charter and responsibility to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "The entire nation must join forces and censure the former president's calls for our death and political violence. This is a time for ethical certainty."

Further Political Comments

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's statements and posted on digital platforms: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is demanding the capital punishment of government members."

He stated: "This is an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should denounce this right away and absolutely."

The Conservative official justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had been involved in "rebellion", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "It is very harmful, you have prominent officials of the legislature advising military personnel to defy commands, I think that is without precedent in the nation's past."

The GOP official also according to sources informed the press that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "explaining the crime of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to parse the terminology and establish all that."

White House Response

During a White House press conference on later that day, when questioned by a journalist, "Is the president want to execute members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson replied: "No."

"We should understand about what the former president is reacting to," the official declared. "You have current representatives of the federal government who conspired to orchestrate a recorded statement to members of the national defense, to active duty service members urging them to disobey the commander in chief's proper directives."

She added: "The purity of our military relies on the command structure, and if that system is violated, it can cause people getting killed, it can lead to chaos, and that's what these elected officials ... are basically promoting."