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Democratic officials voiced anger after Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and asserted they should be arrested and punished "by death" following their release of a disputed video.

The Recording That Provoked the Dispute

The video footage, shared on earlier this week, includes six Democratic congress members who formerly worked in military or defense positions.

"Similar to us, you all swore an vow to protect and uphold this national charter," the officials declared in the brief video. "Currently, the dangers to our democratic foundation don't only come from overseas, but from domestically. Our regulations are explicit, you can decline improper directives, you can reject illegal orders, you must refuse unlawful commands. No one has to execute orders that break the legal system or our constitution."

Donald Trump's Angry Reaction

The clip appeared to prompt a angry reply from the previous commander-in-chief.

On Thursday morning, 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 message, he declared: "This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their words cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Officials Respond

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a unified statement denouncing the comments.

"Violent politics has no role in this nation," they stated. "Representatives who participated in the video all worked our United States with tremendous patriotism and distinction. We strongly censure Donald Trump's appalling and risky calls for execution against members of Congress, and appeal to House Republicans to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in communication with security officials "to guarantee the protection of these officials and their families."

"Donald Trump must without delay delete these unhinged digital publications and retract his aggressive discourse before he leads to violence," the declaration added.

Lawmakers' Defiant Reaction

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

"We are former service members and security experts who care for this nation and swore an pledge to protect and uphold the national charter of the United States," they stated. "That oath continues forever, and we intend to maintain it. No threat, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that sacred obligation."

"The significant point is that the ex-president views it liable to punishment by death for us to reiterate the law," they continued. "Military personnel should recognize that we have their support as they carry out their vow to the national charter and obligation to adhere to only proper directives. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "All citizens must join forces and condemn the ex-president's requests for our murder and ideological conflict. This is a period for principled stance."

Further Partisan Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's comments and published on social media: "We must be absolutely clear: the President of the United States is calling for the capital punishment of elected officials."

He added: "This is an clear THREAT. Every Senator, each house member, every American – regardless of party – should condemn this without delay and absolutely."

The Republican House speaker justified Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "treason", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "This represents very dangerous, you have prominent officials of the government telling troops to disobey orders, I think that represents without precedent in US history."

The Conservative representative also reportedly informed media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the offense of sedition" but that "attorneys have to parse the terminology and establish all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a White House press conference on that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Would the president want to kill members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson answered: "No."

"It's important to note about what the president is responding to," the official said. "You have active officials of the US Congress who coordinated to organize a digital communication to members of the US military, to active duty service members urging them to disobey the executive's legal commands."

She said: "The purity of our military rests on the command structure, and if that structure is compromised, it can cause people getting killed, it can cause chaos, and that's what these elected officials ... are fundamentally promoting."