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Democratic officials demonstrated fury after Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "with execution" following their release of a disputed video.

The Message That Triggered the Dispute

The video footage, published on earlier this week, features six Democratic congress members who previously served in armed forces or security positions.

"Similar to us, you all made an pledge to protect and defend this national charter," the officials stated in the short video. "Currently, the dangers to our constitution are not only from abroad, but from right here at home. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can decline improper directives, you can decline improper directives, you should refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that contravene the legal system or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Angry Reaction

The clip appeared to trigger a heated response from the previous commander-in-chief.

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

In an additional post, he wrote: "This is really concerning, and Harmful to our Country. Their words cannot be permitted to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional publication, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also redistributed a declaration that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Party Leaders React

Following Trump's comments on Thursday, House Democratic leader published a combined declaration censuring the comments.

"Political violence has no role in the United States," they declared. "Representatives who appeared in the video all served our United States with exceptional loyalty and honor. We clearly denounce Donald Trump's appalling and harmful death threats against congressional representatives, and call on House Republicans to forcefully do the same."

The Democratic leaders also mentioned that they had been in communication with protective services "to make certain the security of these representatives and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must without delay remove these unhinged online messages and recant his aggressive discourse before he causes harm," the declaration continued.

Representatives' Strong Response

The lawmakers who were featured in the video also published a response.

"We identify as veterans and national security professionals who love this nation and made an oath to protect and support the constitution of the United States," they said. "Our pledge continues forever, and we aim to keep it. No threat, coercion, or call for violence will stop us from that important responsibility."

"What's most telling is that the president views it punishable by death for us to repeat the law," they added. "Our service members should understand that we have their support as they fulfill their pledge to the constitution and duty to obey only proper directives. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our obligation."

They added: "The entire nation must join forces and denounce the president's demands for our murder and partisan aggression. This is a moment for moral clarity."

Further Governmental Comments

The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's remarks and published on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is calling for the death of elected officials."

He stated: "This is an outright THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should denounce this right away and without qualification."

The GOP leader justified Trump's assertion that the Democrats had engaged in "treason", characterizing the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "It is very risky, you have leading members of Congress instructing military personnel to disobey orders, I think that represents without precedent in the nation's past."

The Conservative representative also reportedly informed media outlets that in what he read of Trump's posts, Trump was "explaining the crime of treason" but that "lawyers have to parse the wording and establish all that."

Executive Branch Response

During a White House press conference on Thursday afternoon, when inquired by a reporter, "Would the president want to kill congressional representatives?", the administration spokesperson answered: "No."

"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the spokesperson stated. "We see sitting members of the federal government who conspired to orchestrate a digital communication to personnel of the national defense, to serving soldiers urging them to defy the executive's lawful orders."

She added: "The sanctity of our military depends on the hierarchy, and if that system is broken, it can result in casualties, it can result in chaos, and precisely what these elected officials ... are fundamentally promoting."