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Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after Donald Trump alleged a contingent of Democratic legislators of being "traitors" and asserted they should be taken into custody and sentenced "with execution" following their release of a contentious video.

The Message That Triggered the Dispute

The clip, released on Tuesday, features six Democratic elected officials who formerly acted in military or security capacities.

"Similar to us, you all took an vow to defend and defend this founding document," the officials stated in the brief video. "And right now, the threats to our governing document don't only come from overseas, but from right here at home. Our statutes are explicit, you can reject illegal orders, you can decline illegal orders, you have to refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that contravene the law or our constitution."

The Former President's Incensed Reply

The clip appeared to prompt a heated reaction from the ex-president.

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

In another post, he stated: "This represents really concerning, and Risky to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

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

Opposition Leaders React

Following Trump's remarks on Thursday, Top Democrats issued a joint announcement denouncing the remarks.

"Partisan aggression has no place in this nation," they wrote. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all served our United States with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's appalling and harmful death threats against members of Congress, and urge House Republicans to forcefully do the same."

The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in touch with security officials "to ensure the safety of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must immediately delete these extreme online messages and recant his aggressive rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the declaration stated.

Officials' Firm Reaction

The representatives who appeared in the video also issued a response.

"We identify as ex-military personnel and national security professionals who value this nation and took an vow to protect and support the constitution of the United States," they said. "That oath is permanent, and we aim to honor it. No intimidation, coercion, or promotion of aggression will stop us from that fundamental duty."

"The significant point is that the ex-president considers it punishable by death for us to repeat the statutes," they added. "Armed forces members should know that we have their protection as they carry out their oath to the national charter and duty to obey only legal commands. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our responsibility."

They continued: "Every American must unite and denounce the ex-president's requests for our death and ideological conflict. This is a time for principled stance."

Additional Governmental Comments

The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's remarks and posted on digital platforms: "Let's be crystal clear: the ex-commander in chief is calling for the capital punishment of government members."

He continued: "This is an direct THREAT. Every Senator, all representatives, the entire nation – regardless of party – should censure this without delay and without qualification."

The Republican House speaker supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "rebellion", describing the video as "highly unsuitable", adding: "It is very dangerous, you have important representatives of Congress telling military personnel to defy commands, I think that's historic in US history."

The GOP official also according to sources stated to the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the crime of treason" but that "lawyers have to examine the language and decide all that."

Executive Branch Reaction

During a administration briefing on Thursday afternoon, when questioned by a journalist, "Would the president want to kill elected officials?", the executive branch representative replied: "No."

"It's important to note about what the president is reacting to," the official said. "We see sitting members of the federal government who conspired to arrange a recorded statement to individuals of the national defense, to current military personnel advising them to ignore the president's lawful orders."

She added: "The purity of our armed forces relies on the hierarchy, and if that chain of command is broken, it can cause people getting killed, it can cause chaos, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are essentially promoting."