Democrats Denounce Trump After He Claims They Should Face Death Penalty
Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced anger after the ex-president charged a group of Democratic representatives of being "traitors" and asserted they should be detained and punished "through capital punishment" following their release of a disputed video.
The Recording That Sparked the Dispute
The recorded message, published on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic elected officials who formerly acted in armed forces or intelligence positions.
"As we did, you all made an pledge to safeguard and uphold this constitution," the lawmakers declared in the short video. "At present, the risks to our governing document don't only come from abroad, but from within our own country. Our regulations are unambiguous, you can decline unlawful commands, you can reject unlawful commands, you have to decline illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the legal system or our founding principles."
Donald Trump's Angry Reaction
The video message appeared to prompt a furious reply from the previous commander-in-chief.
On Thursday morning, Trump posted on his social media platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Nation should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."
In an additional publication, he stated: "This constitutes really bad, and Harmful to our Country. Their statements cannot be enabled to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"
In a subsequent message, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also redistributed a declaration that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
Party Representatives React
Following Trump's statements on that day, Top Democrats issued a joint statement censuring the comments.
"Political violence has no role in this nation," they stated. "Representatives who appeared in the video all worked our nation with exceptional loyalty and distinction. We strongly condemn Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful death threats against members of Congress, and urge GOP representatives to strongly do the same."
The party representatives also stated that they had been in contact with security officials "to ensure the protection of these members and their loved ones."
"Donald Trump must without delay remove these extreme social media posts and retract his violent discourse before he gets someone killed," the statement stated.
Officials' Strong Answer
The officials who participated in the video also issued a response.
"We identify as veterans and defense specialists who value this nation and made an pledge to protect and uphold the founding document of the United States," they stated. "This commitment continues forever, and we aim to honor it. No threat, coercion, or call for violence will deter us from that important responsibility."
"The most revealing aspect is that the president considers it punishable by death for us to repeat the legal requirements," they stated. "Armed forces members should recognize that we have their support as they carry out their vow to the national charter and responsibility to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."
They stated: "The entire nation must join forces and denounce the former president's calls for our death and ideological conflict. This is a time for ethical certainty."
More Political Reactions
The Senate Democratic leader also censured Trump's remarks and posted on online networks: "It's important to understand: the President of the United States is calling for the execution of public representatives."
He added: "This is an outright THREAT. All senators, every Representative, every American – irrespective of political affiliation – should condemn this right away and absolutely."
The Conservative official supported Trump's claim that the Democrats had been involved in "sedition", labeling the video as "extremely improper", adding: "This represents very harmful, you have leading members of Congress advising military personnel to defy commands, I think that is historic in US history."
The Republican leader also allegedly told journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's posts, Trump was "describing the crime of sedition" but that "lawyers have to examine the language and determine all that."
Executive Branch Reaction
During a executive branch meeting on that day, when asked by a reporter, "Is the president want to execute elected officials?", the executive branch representative responded: "Certainly not."
"It's important to note about what the former president is addressing," the official said. "You have active officials of the US Congress who conspired to arrange a video message to individuals of the American armed forces, to serving soldiers advising them to defy the executive's legal commands."
She stated: "The purity of our defense system rests on the command structure, and if that structure is compromised, it can result in people getting killed, it can cause disorder, and that's what these elected officials ... are basically promoting."