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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced outrage after the ex-president accused a contingent of Democratic representatives of being "betrayers" and stated they should be arrested and penalized "with execution" following their publication of a contentious video.

The Message That Triggered the Debate

The recorded message, published on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who in the past worked in military or intelligence capacities.

"As we did, you all swore an vow to defend and defend this constitution," the lawmakers declared in the brief video. "And right now, the threats to our democratic foundation aren't just from abroad, but from right here at home. Our regulations are explicit, you can reject illegal orders, you can decline improper directives, you should reject improper directives. No one has to execute directives that violate the legal system or our national charter."

Donald Trump's Incensed Response

The clip reportedly provoke a heated response from the previous commander-in-chief.

On Thursday morning, Trump published on his social media platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In an additional post, he wrote: "This represents really serious, and Risky to our United States. Their words cannot be enabled to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Democratic Representatives React

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

"Political violence has no position in this nation," they wrote. "Representatives who appeared in the video all served our United States with great patriotism and honor. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's appalling and risky calls for execution against elected officials, and urge GOP representatives to vigorously do the same."

The opposition officials also stated that they had been in contact with security officials "to guarantee the protection of these members and their families."

"Donald Trump must right away remove these extreme digital publications and retract his violent discourse before he gets someone killed," the declaration stated.

Lawmakers' Defiant Answer

The lawmakers who appeared in the video also published a response.

"We serve as ex-military personnel and security experts who value this nation and made an oath to safeguard and uphold the constitution of the United States," they stated. "That oath continues forever, and we aim to keep it. No threat, pressure, or incitement will prevent us from that sacred duty."

"The significant point is that the ex-president deems it liable to punishment by execution for us to repeat the law," they added. "Our service members should understand that we have their backs as they execute their vow to the constitution and obligation to obey only proper directives. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our duty."

They continued: "Every American must come together and censure the ex-president's requests for our death and partisan aggression. This is a period for ethical certainty."

Further Partisan Reactions

The Democratic Senate minority leader also condemned Trump's statements and posted on online networks: "It's important to understand: the ex-commander in chief is requesting the capital punishment of public representatives."

He continued: "This is an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, all citizens – regardless of party – should condemn this without delay and unconditionally."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had participated in "treason", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", stating: "It is very harmful, you have prominent officials of Congress instructing soldiers to disobey orders, I think that's without precedent in American history."

The Conservative representative also according to sources stated to journalists that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "defining the violation of rebellion" but that "legal experts have to examine the wording and establish all that."

White House Reaction

During a executive branch meeting on Thursday afternoon, when asked by a journalist, "Would the president want to kill elected officials?", the administration spokesperson answered: "Absolutely not."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is reacting to," the representative said. "You have active officials of the US Congress who conspired to arrange a recorded statement to personnel of the national defense, to serving soldiers advising them to defy the president's legal commands."

She said: "The sanctity of our military rests on the command structure, and if that structure is compromised, it can result in fatalities, it can cause disorder, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are basically supporting."