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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after former President Donald Trump alleged a coalition of Democratic representatives of being "turncoats" and declared they should be taken into custody and penalized "with execution" following their posting of a disputed video.

The Content That Triggered the Dispute

The clip, published on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic congress members who formerly served in military or security positions.

"Similar to us, you all swore an vow to safeguard and uphold this founding document," the officials stated in the short video. "And right now, the threats to our democratic foundation are not only from overseas, but from domestically. Our laws are clear, you can decline illegal orders, you can refuse unlawful commands, you should reject improper directives. No one has to execute orders that violate the legal system or our national charter."

Donald Trump's Angry Reaction

The video message seemed to trigger a heated reaction from the ex-president.

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 an additional publication, 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 post, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also shared a comment that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Representatives React

Following Trump's statements on Thursday, Top Democrats released a joint announcement denouncing the statements.

"Partisan aggression has no place in this nation," they wrote. "Congress members who participated in the video all acted our country with tremendous patriotism and distinction. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's disgusting and risky calls for execution against congressional representatives, and call on GOP representatives to vigorously do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in communication with protective services "to guarantee the safety of these representatives and their loved ones."

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these radical social media posts and retract his dangerous rhetoric before he leads to violence," the announcement added.

Lawmakers' Defiant Reaction

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

"We serve as former service members and national security professionals who love this United States and made an oath to safeguard and defend the constitution of the United States," they stated. "This commitment continues forever, and we aim to maintain it. No threat, pressure, or incitement will prevent us from that fundamental obligation."

"The significant point is that the former president deems it punishable by death for us to repeat the law," they continued. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their backs as they fulfill their pledge to the constitution and duty to obey only proper directives. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "Every American must unite and condemn the former president's demands for our death and partisan aggression. This is a period for principled stance."

Additional Partisan Responses

The Senate Democratic leader also condemned Trump's statements and posted on digital platforms: "We must be absolutely clear: the President of the United States is calling for the execution of government members."

He continued: "This represents an clear THREAT. Every Senator, each house member, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should condemn this immediately and unconditionally."

The GOP leader defended Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "treason", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "It is very harmful, you have important representatives of the government instructing soldiers to defy commands, I think that's without precedent in American history."

The GOP official also allegedly informed media outlets that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the offense of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to examine the wording and establish all that."

White House Statement

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when inquired by a reporter, "Does the president want to kill elected officials?", the executive branch representative responded: "Absolutely not."

"Let's be clear about what the president is reacting to," the representative said. "There are active officials of the federal government who worked together to organize a recorded statement to individuals of the national defense, to serving soldiers encouraging them to disobey the commander in chief's legal commands."

She said: "The purity of our armed forces rests on the chain of command, and if that structure is compromised, it can result in casualties, it can cause confusion, and that is exactly what these congressional representatives ... are basically supporting."