Democratic lawmakers Condemn Trump After He Claims They Should Face Execution
Lawmakers from the Democratic party voiced outrage after the ex-president charged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "traitors" and declared they should be arrested and punished "with execution" following their publication of a contentious video.
The Recording That Triggered the Debate
The clip, shared on earlier this week, features six Democratic congress members who formerly acted in armed forces or intelligence positions.
"Like us, you all swore an oath to safeguard and uphold this founding document," the representatives declared in the short video. "Currently, the threats to our constitution are not only from abroad, but from within our own country. Our statutes are explicit, you can reject improper directives, you can refuse unlawful commands, you should refuse unlawful commands. No one has to carry out orders that contravene the law or our national charter."
The Former President's Angry Reaction
The video message seemed to trigger a angry reply from the ex-president.
On later in the week, Trump posted on his social media platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these turncoats to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."
In a separate post, he stated: "This constitutes really bad, and Harmful to our Nation. Their statements cannot be permitted to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"
In a additional publication, he stated: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a declaration that stated: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
Democratic Representatives Answer
Following Trump's comments on Thursday, House Democratic leader released a unified announcement condemning the statements.
"Political violence has no role in this nation," they declared. "Congress members who were featured in the video all served our United States with tremendous patriotism and distinction. We strongly denounce Donald Trump's offensive and harmful death threats against members of Congress, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."
The Democratic leaders also stated that they had been in contact with protective services "to make certain the protection of these representatives and their families."
"Donald Trump must right away take down these extreme online messages and withdraw his dangerous discourse before he causes harm," the declaration added.
Representatives' Firm Reaction
The officials who participated in the video also issued a response.
"We identify as former service members and defense specialists who value this country and took an vow to safeguard and defend the founding document of the United States," they declared. "That oath is permanent, and we intend to keep it. No warning, coercion, or incitement will prevent us from that important responsibility."
"What's most telling is that the president deems it subject to penalty by execution for us to reiterate the law," they continued. "Our service members should recognize that we have their support as they fulfill their vow to the founding principles and responsibility to follow only proper directives. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."
They stated: "The entire nation must join forces and censure the president's calls for our murder and partisan aggression. This is a time for moral clarity."
Additional Governmental Comments
The Democratic Senate minority leader also denounced Trump's comments and posted on social media: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is requesting the death of government members."
He stated: "This is an clear THREAT. Every Senator, each house member, the entire nation – regardless of party – should condemn this right away and unconditionally."
The Republican House speaker justified Trump's allegation that the Democrats had participated in "sedition", labeling the video as "wildly inappropriate", stating: "This represents very dangerous, you have leading members of Congress instructing troops to ignore directives, I think that represents without precedent in American history."
The Conservative representative also according to sources told journalists that in what he reviewed of Trump's messages, Trump was "describing the violation of treason" but that "attorneys have to parse the language and decide all that."
White House Reaction
During a White House press conference on later that day, when questioned by a media member, "Is the president want to put to death congressional representatives?", the White House press secretary replied: "Absolutely not."
"Let's be clear about what the president is reacting to," the representative said. "We see active officials of the federal government who coordinated to orchestrate a digital communication to personnel of the American armed forces, to current military personnel urging them to defy the executive's lawful orders."
She said: "The sanctity of our defense system depends on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can result in people getting killed, it can result in chaos, and that's what these elected officials ... are fundamentally encouraging."