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Democratic officials demonstrated fury after the ex-president accused a contingent of Democratic legislators of being "betrayers" and stated they should be detained and punished "through capital punishment" following their publication of a disputed video.

The Content That Sparked the Controversy

The clip, released on Tuesday, features six Democratic congress members who in the past acted in military or defense capacities.

"Similar to us, you all took an oath to safeguard and defend this constitution," the officials declared in the 90-second video. "Currently, the risks to our governing document don't only come from foreign nations, but from domestically. Our regulations are explicit, you can reject illegal orders, you can refuse unlawful commands, you should refuse unlawful commands. No one has to follow directives that break the statutes or our founding principles."

Trump's Furious Response

The video message reportedly prompt a furious reaction from the previous commander-in-chief.

On Thursday morning, Trump posted on his social media platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional message, he declared: "This is really serious, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their comments cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a subsequent message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a comment that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Officials React

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

"Partisan aggression has no role in this nation," they stated. "Congress members who appeared in the video all worked our United States with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We clearly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and risky death threats against congressional representatives, and call on Republican lawmakers to forcefully do the same."

The opposition officials 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 remove these radical social media posts and recant his dangerous discourse before he leads to violence," the declaration added.

Lawmakers' Defiant Response

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

"We identify as former service members and security experts who value this nation and made an vow to defend and support the national charter of the United States," they declared. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we aim to keep it. No intimidation, pressure, or incitement will stop us from that sacred responsibility."

"The significant point is that the former president views it subject to penalty by capital punishment for us to restate the legal requirements," they continued. "Our service members should understand that we have their protection as they fulfill their pledge to the constitution and obligation to obey only legal commands. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our duty."

They stated: "Every American must come together and condemn the ex-president's demands for our death and political violence. This is a period for moral clarity."

More Political Responses

The Opposition leader also denounced Trump's remarks and posted on online networks: "It's important to understand: the President of the United States is demanding the death of government members."

He stated: "This is an clear THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should censure this right away and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "treason", characterizing the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "It is very risky, you have prominent officials of Congress telling soldiers to disobey orders, I think that is unprecedented in American history."

The GOP official also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "explaining the offense of sedition" but that "lawyers have to examine the language and establish all that."

White House Response

During a White House press conference on that day, when asked by a reporter, "Is the president want to put to death members of Congress?", the executive branch representative replied: "Absolutely not."

"It's important to note about what the president is responding to," the representative said. "We see active officials of the US Congress who worked together to orchestrate a digital communication to personnel of the national defense, to current military personnel encouraging them to ignore the executive's lawful orders."

She added: "The sanctity of our defense system rests on the command structure, and if that chain of command is compromised, it can cause people getting killed, it can lead to confusion, and precisely what these congressional representatives ... are essentially supporting."