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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced fury after the ex-president alleged a contingent of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and stated they should be arrested and penalized "through capital punishment" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Recording That Provoked the Dispute

The recorded message, shared on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic elected officials who formerly acted in military or intelligence capacities.

"As we did, you all made an vow to defend and support this founding document," the lawmakers affirmed in the short video. "Currently, the threats to our governing document aren't just from abroad, but from within our own country. Our laws are unambiguous, you can reject improper directives, you can refuse unlawful commands, you have to reject illegal orders. No one has to follow orders that violate the law or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Angry Reply

The recorded statement appeared to trigger a furious response from the ex-president.

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

In a separate publication, he declared: "This is really serious, and Risky to our United States. Their statements cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional message, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Leaders React

Following Trump's comments on that day, Democratic leadership issued a unified declaration condemning the comments.

"Political violence has no position in the United States," they wrote. "Representatives who were featured in the video all served our nation with tremendous national pride and distinction. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's offensive and dangerous calls for execution against members of Congress, and call on Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."

The Democratic leaders also stated that they had been in touch with security officials "to ensure the safety of these representatives and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away delete these extreme digital publications and recant his violent language before he leads to violence," the statement added.

Officials' Defiant Reaction

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

"We serve as former service members and national security professionals who care for this nation and made an pledge to defend and defend the founding document of the United States," they said. "That oath continues forever, and we plan to maintain it. No intimidation, intimidation, or incitement will prevent us from that important obligation."

"What's most telling is that the ex-president views it subject to penalty by death for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should know that we have their protection as they execute their oath to the national charter and duty to obey only legal commands. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They added: "All citizens must unite and censure the ex-president's requests for our execution and political violence. This is a moment for principled stance."

More Partisan Reactions

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's remarks and shared on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is demanding the death of elected officials."

He continued: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, every American – regardless of party – should condemn this right away and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have important representatives of the legislature telling soldiers to defy commands, I think that is without precedent in American history."

The Conservative representative also according to sources told media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the violation of sedition" but that "lawyers have to examine the wording and decide all that."

Administration Response

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a reporter, "Does the president want to put to death congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary responded: "No."

"We should understand about what the former president is addressing," the spokesperson said. "You have sitting members of the American legislature who coordinated to orchestrate a digital communication to personnel of the US military, to current military personnel encouraging them to ignore the commander in chief's lawful orders."

She added: "The integrity of our armed forces relies on the hierarchy, and if that system is compromised, it can cause people getting killed, it can cause disorder, and that's what these members of Congress ... are essentially encouraging."