Democrats Denounce Trump After He Suggests They Should Face Capital Punishment
Lawmakers from the Democratic party expressed fury after the ex-president accused a group of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and asserted they should be arrested and penalized "with execution" following their publication of a controversial video.
The Content That Sparked the Controversy
The video footage, published on Tuesday, includes six Democratic congress members who formerly served in military or intelligence capacities.
"Similar to us, you all swore an oath to defend and uphold this founding document," the officials declared in the 90-second video. "At present, the dangers to our constitution don't only come from abroad, but from within our own country. Our statutes are clear, you can reject illegal orders, you can reject improper directives, you have to refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out commands that break the statutes or our constitution."
The Former President's Incensed Reaction
The video message reportedly prompt a furious reply from the previous commander-in-chief.
On later in the week, Trump published on his social media platform: "This constitutes SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."
In an additional post, he stated: "This is really bad, and Risky to our Country. Their comments cannot be permitted to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"
In a third post, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, subject to punishment by DEATH!" He also shared a statement that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
Democratic Representatives React
Following Trump's statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader released a combined declaration denouncing the statements.
"Violent politics has no place in this nation," they declared. "Representatives who were featured in the video all worked our United States with tremendous patriotism and distinction. We clearly censure Donald Trump's offensive and risky threats of violence against elected officials, and call on GOP representatives to forcefully do the same."
The opposition officials also mentioned that they had been in communication with security officials "to make certain the security of these officials and their relatives."
"Donald Trump must immediately remove these extreme online messages and recant his violent rhetoric before he leads to violence," the announcement added.
Representatives' Strong Reaction
The lawmakers who participated in the video also issued a declaration.
"We identify as veterans and security experts who love this United States and swore an vow to protect and support the founding document of the United States," they said. "Our pledge is permanent, and we plan to honor it. No warning, coercion, or call for violence will prevent us from that fundamental obligation."
"The most revealing aspect is that the president considers it liable to punishment by death for us to reiterate the law," they continued. "Armed forces members should know that we have their protection as they execute their oath to the founding principles and duty to follow only proper directives. It is not only the proper thing to do, but also our obligation."
They continued: "Every American must come together and condemn the president's demands for our death and partisan aggression. This is a period for ethical certainty."
Additional Political Comments
The Opposition leader also censured Trump's statements and published on digital platforms: "We must be absolutely clear: the President of the United States is requesting the death of government members."
He added: "This represents an outright THREAT. Each congressional member, all representatives, the entire nation – irrespective of political affiliation – should denounce this right away and unconditionally."
The GOP leader supported Trump's allegation that the Democrats had engaged in "sedition", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", adding: "This constitutes very harmful, you have prominent officials of the government advising military personnel to defy commands, I think that's historic in the nation's past."
The GOP official also according to sources stated to the press that in what he read of Trump's messages, Trump was "explaining the offense of treason" but that "legal experts have to analyze the language and establish all that."
Executive Branch Response
During a executive branch meeting on later that day, when asked by a reporter, "Is the president want to execute members of Congress?", the White House press secretary responded: "Certainly not."
"It's important to note about what the president is responding to," the official said. "You have active officials of the American legislature who worked together to organize a video message to members of the national defense, to serving soldiers encouraging them to defy the president's legal commands."
She said: "The sanctity of our defense system relies on the chain of command, and if that structure is broken, it can lead to casualties, it can cause disorder, and that's what these congressional representatives ... are basically supporting."