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Democratic officials expressed fury after the ex-president alleged a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be arrested and sentenced "by death" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Message That Sparked the Controversy

The clip, published on earlier this week, features six Democratic elected officials who previously served in military or security capacities.

"Similar to us, you all took an oath to defend and uphold this national charter," the officials stated in the brief video. "And right now, the dangers to our constitution are not only from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our regulations are explicit, you can reject improper directives, you can reject unlawful commands, you should refuse unlawful commands. No one has to execute orders that violate the statutes or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Furious Reply

The video message appeared to trigger a furious reaction from the former president.

On later in the week, Trump posted on his preferred platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."

In another post, he declared: "This is really bad, and Harmful to our Country. Their comments cannot be enabled to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Party Officials React

Following Trump's remarks on that day, Top Democrats issued a combined statement denouncing the comments.

"Partisan aggression has no place in the United States," they declared. "Congress members who appeared in the video all worked our country with tremendous loyalty and honor. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's appalling and risky calls for execution against congressional representatives, and call on GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."

The party representatives also mentioned that they had been in touch with security officials "to make certain the security of these officials and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and retract his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the announcement added.

Representatives' Defiant Response

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

"We are ex-military personnel and security experts who love this United States and made an vow to protect and uphold the founding document of the United States," they said. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we aim to honor it. No intimidation, coercion, or call for violence will prevent us from that fundamental responsibility."

"The most revealing aspect is that the former president views it liable to punishment by execution for us to reiterate the law," they stated. "Our service members should recognize that we have their protection as they carry out their vow to the national charter and obligation to obey only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty."

They stated: "The entire nation must join forces and denounce the ex-president's demands for our death and political violence. This is a period for ethical certainty."

Further Political Comments

The Opposition leader also censured Trump's comments and published on online networks: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is demanding the death of government members."

He stated: "This is an clear THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, all citizens – regardless of party – should denounce this without delay and without qualification."

The Conservative official supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had engaged in "sedition", labeling the video as "extremely improper", stating: "This constitutes very dangerous, you have leading members of Congress telling troops to defy commands, I think that is unprecedented in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also allegedly told journalists that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "explaining the violation of treason" but that "legal experts have to parse the wording and determine all that."

Administration Statement

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when inquired by a journalist, "Would the president want to execute members of Congress?", the executive branch representative replied: "Absolutely not."

"It's important to note about what the president is addressing," the representative said. "You have current representatives of the US Congress who conspired to organize a recorded statement to individuals of the American armed forces, to current military personnel urging them to defy the executive's proper directives."

She said: "The sanctity of our military depends on the chain of command, and if that system is broken, it can lead to people getting killed, it can result in confusion, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are fundamentally supporting."