Democratic lawmakers Denounce Trump After He Claims They Should Face Execution
Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated anger after former President Donald Trump charged a group of Democratic legislators of being "turncoats" and declared they should be detained and penalized "by death" following their publication of a controversial video.
The Message That Sparked the Controversy
The video footage, released on earlier this week, features six Democratic congress members who previously acted in defense or defense capacities.
"As we did, you all took an vow to protect and support this constitution," the representatives stated in the 90-second video. "At present, the threats to our constitution don't only come from foreign nations, but from within our own country. Our statutes are unambiguous, you can reject improper directives, you can decline improper directives, you must refuse illegal orders. No one has to execute directives that break the statutes or our constitution."
The Former President's Furious Reply
The clip reportedly prompt a furious reaction from the former president.
On later in the week, Trump published on his preferred platform: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our United States should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."
In another post, he wrote: "This represents really concerning, and Harmful to our Nation. Their comments cannot be enabled to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"
In a subsequent message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that read: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
Democratic Representatives Answer
Following Trump's comments on Thursday, Top Democrats released a combined statement condemning the comments.
"Partisan aggression has no role in America," they stated. "Elected officials who appeared in the video all acted our nation with tremendous patriotism and distinction. We unequivocally denounce Donald Trump's appalling and dangerous death threats against elected officials, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."
The Democratic leaders also said that they had been in contact with security officials "to guarantee the security of these members and their loved ones."
"Donald Trump must without delay remove these radical online messages and retract his aggressive rhetoric before he gets someone killed," the declaration added.
Representatives' Strong Reaction
The lawmakers who participated in the video also released a statement.
"We serve as ex-military personnel and national security professionals who love this nation and took an vow to defend and support the founding document of the United States," they declared. "That oath is permanent, and we plan to honor it. No warning, pressure, or promotion of aggression will prevent us from that fundamental duty."
"The most revealing aspect is that the former president considers it punishable by death for us to reiterate the law," they stated. "Our service members should know that we have their support as they carry out their oath to the constitution and obligation to obey only proper directives. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our responsibility."
They continued: "All citizens must join forces and censure the former president's requests for our murder and political violence. This is a moment for ethical certainty."
Additional Governmental Responses
The Democratic Senate minority leader also censured Trump's remarks and shared on social media: "It's important to understand: the former president is requesting the execution of elected officials."
He continued: "This is an direct THREAT. All senators, every Representative, all citizens – without partisan consideration – should denounce this right away and unconditionally."
The Republican House speaker supported Trump's assertion that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", describing the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This constitutes very risky, you have prominent officials of the government instructing troops to defy commands, I think that is historic in the nation's past."
The GOP official also allegedly informed journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's publications, Trump was "describing the violation of sedition" but that "attorneys have to examine the language and establish all that."
Executive Branch Response
During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when inquired by a reporter, "Is the president want to execute elected officials?", the administration spokesperson responded: "No."
"We should understand about what the ex-commander in chief is addressing," the official declared. "You have current representatives of the US Congress who conspired to arrange a recorded statement to members of the American armed forces, to serving soldiers encouraging them to defy the executive's lawful orders."
She said: "The integrity of our military rests on the chain of command, and if that system is violated, it can lead to people getting killed, it can cause disorder, and that is exactly what these members of Congress ... are basically supporting."