Democratic lawmakers Criticize Trump After He Claims They Should Face Death Penalty
Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated fury after Donald Trump accused a coalition of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and stated they should be taken into custody and punished "by death" following their release of a contentious video.
The Content That Triggered the Controversy
The clip, released on earlier this week, features six Democratic congress members who in the past acted in armed forces or security capacities.
"As we did, you all took an pledge to defend and support this founding document," the representatives affirmed in the 90-second video. "At present, the dangers to our constitution aren't just from overseas, but from within our own country. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can refuse improper directives, you can reject unlawful commands, you have to refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the legal system or our founding principles."
Trump's Furious Reaction
The recorded statement reportedly trigger a heated reaction from the ex-president.
On the following morning, Trump wrote on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."
In a separate publication, he declared: "This constitutes really concerning, and Dangerous to our Nation. Their words cannot be enabled to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"
In a third publication, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a comment that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
Democratic Leaders Respond
Following Trump's comments on that day, House Democratic leader published a joint declaration condemning the comments.
"Violent politics has no role in America," they declared. "Elected officials who were featured in the video all served our nation with tremendous national pride and excellence. We unequivocally censure Donald Trump's appalling and risky death threats against congressional representatives, and urge GOP representatives to vigorously do the same."
The party representatives also said that they had been in contact with protective services "to guarantee the safety of these members and their loved ones."
"Donald Trump must without delay delete these extreme digital publications and recant his violent rhetoric before he causes harm," the statement stated.
Officials' Defiant Answer
The lawmakers who participated in the video also published a declaration.
"We identify as ex-military personnel and security experts who value this United States and made an oath to defend and defend the constitution of the United States," they said. "This commitment continues forever, and we aim to keep it. No warning, intimidation, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that sacred obligation."
"The most revealing aspect is that the former president considers it liable to punishment by capital punishment for us to restate the statutes," they added. "Military personnel should recognize that we have their protection as they carry out their pledge to the constitution and responsibility to follow only proper directives. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our obligation."
They stated: "Every American must unite and denounce the president's demands for our murder and ideological conflict. This is a period for ethical certainty."
More Political Reactions
The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's statements and shared on social media: "It's important to understand: the former president is demanding the capital punishment of public representatives."
He stated: "This constitutes an outright THREAT. All senators, each house member, all citizens – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this right away and without qualification."
The GOP leader defended Trump's claim that the Democrats had engaged in "treason", labeling the video as "highly unsuitable", commenting: "It is very risky, you have leading members of the government advising troops to disobey orders, I think that's unprecedented in US history."
The Conservative representative also according to sources stated to the press that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the crime of sedition" but that "legal experts have to examine the wording and determine all that."
White House Reaction
During a administration briefing on later that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Is the president want to kill members of Congress?", the administration spokesperson responded: "No."
"We should understand about what the former president is reacting to," the spokesperson declared. "There are sitting members of the federal government who worked together to orchestrate a recorded statement to individuals of the American armed forces, to serving soldiers encouraging them to disobey the commander in chief's proper directives."
She said: "The sanctity of our defense system rests on the hierarchy, and if that structure is broken, it can result in casualties, it can result in chaos, and precisely what these members of Congress ... are basically supporting."