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Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed outrage after Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and declared they should be detained and punished "with execution" following their publication of a controversial video.

The Recording That Sparked the Dispute

The recorded message, released on earlier this week, showcases six Democratic elected officials who formerly acted in defense or security positions.

"Similar to us, you all made an oath to defend and support this constitution," the representatives affirmed in the short video. "Currently, the threats to our constitution aren't just from foreign nations, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders, you can reject illegal orders, you must reject unlawful commands. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our founding principles."

Donald Trump's Furious Reply

The clip reportedly provoke a heated reply from the former president.

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 another publication, he declared: "This represents really serious, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their comments cannot be permitted to remain. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"

In a additional post, he added: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also reposted a declaration that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"

Opposition Officials React

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

"Political violence has no place in America," they wrote. "Representatives who were featured in the video all served our country with great national pride and honor. We clearly censure Donald Trump's offensive and harmful calls for execution against members of Congress, and call on House Republicans to strongly do the same."

The party representatives also said that they had been in touch with protective services "to ensure the protection of these members and their relatives."

"Donald Trump must right away take down these unhinged social media posts and recant his aggressive rhetoric before he causes harm," the declaration continued.

Lawmakers' Defiant Reaction

The lawmakers who participated in the video also published a statement.

"We are veterans and security experts who care for this United States and made an pledge to protect and support the national charter of the United States," they declared. "Our pledge is permanent, and we intend to keep it. No warning, coercion, or promotion of aggression will deter us from that sacred responsibility."

"The significant point is that the president views it liable to punishment by execution for us to reiterate the legal requirements," they continued. "Military personnel should recognize that we have their protection as they carry out their vow to the national charter and obligation to obey only proper directives. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our obligation."

They continued: "All citizens must come together and censure the ex-president's demands for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a period for ethical certainty."

Further Governmental Reactions

The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's statements and posted on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is calling for the death of public representatives."

He stated: "This is an clear THREAT. Each congressional member, every Representative, the entire nation – without partisan consideration – should denounce this immediately and unconditionally."

The GOP leader supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "treason", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", commenting: "This represents very dangerous, you have prominent officials of the legislature advising soldiers to disobey orders, I think that's unprecedented in the nation's past."

The Republican leader also reportedly stated to journalists that in what he read of Trump's publications, Trump was "defining the crime of sedition" but that "lawyers have to examine the wording and decide all that."

Administration Response

During a White House press conference on later that day, when questioned by a journalist, "Does the president want to kill members of Congress?", the executive branch representative responded: "No."

"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the representative said. "There are current representatives of the American legislature who worked together to organize a recorded statement to members of the American armed forces, to active duty service members urging them to disobey the executive's legal commands."

She stated: "The purity of our defense system relies on the hierarchy, and if that chain of command is compromised, it can cause fatalities, it can cause chaos, and that's what these elected officials ... are essentially supporting."