Democrats Criticize Trump After He Claims They Should Face Death Penalty
Lawmakers from the Democratic party demonstrated anger after Donald Trump charged a contingent of Democratic congress members of being "turncoats" and asserted they should be detained and sentenced "with execution" following their posting of a contentious video.
The Message That Sparked the Dispute
The video footage, published on Tuesday, showcases six Democratic lawmakers who in the past acted in defense or security roles.
"Like us, you all made an oath to defend and uphold this constitution," the officials declared in the brief video. "And right now, the risks to our governing document don't only come from overseas, but from right here at home. Our regulations are clear, you can reject improper directives, you can refuse unlawful commands, you should decline illegal orders. No one has to execute orders that contravene the legal system or our national charter."
Donald Trump's Furious Reaction
The video message appeared to trigger a heated reaction from the previous commander-in-chief.
On Thursday morning, Trump wrote on his social media platform: "This represents SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these betrayers to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."
In an additional publication, he declared: "This represents really bad, and Risky to our Nation. Their comments cannot be permitted to persist. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???"
In a subsequent message, he continued: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, liable by DEATH!" He also redistributed a statement that said: "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!"
Democratic Officials Respond
Following Trump's statements on that day, Top Democrats published a unified statement denouncing the comments.
"Violent politics has no role in America," they declared. "Congress members who were featured in the video all worked our country with great loyalty and honor. We strongly censure Donald Trump's disgusting and harmful threats of violence against elected officials, and appeal to Republican lawmakers to strongly do the same."
The party representatives also stated that they had been in touch with law enforcement "to guarantee the safety of these representatives and their loved ones."
"Donald Trump must immediately take down these radical online messages and withdraw his violent language before he causes harm," the statement stated.
Lawmakers' Firm Reaction
The lawmakers who participated in the video also published a statement.
"We identify as ex-military personnel and security experts who love this United States and swore an oath to defend and uphold the national charter of the United States," they said. "That oath lasts a lifetime, and we plan to keep it. No intimidation, coercion, or incitement will stop us from that important duty."
"What's most telling is that the former president views it liable to punishment by death for us to restate the legal requirements," they stated. "Military personnel should understand that we have their support as they fulfill their vow to the national charter and responsibility to obey only legal commands. It is not only the correct thing to do, but also our responsibility."
They stated: "All citizens must join forces and censure the former president's demands for our execution and ideological conflict. This is a moment for principled stance."
Further Governmental Reactions
The Opposition leader also condemned Trump's comments and posted on digital platforms: "It's important to understand: the former president is calling for the capital punishment of government members."
He added: "This constitutes an direct THREAT. Each congressional member, each house member, every American – irrespective of political affiliation – should condemn this immediately and absolutely."
The GOP leader defended Trump's assertion that the Democrats had engaged in "rebellion", labeling the video as "extremely improper", commenting: "This constitutes very harmful, you have important representatives of the government instructing troops to disobey orders, I think that's historic in American history."
The Republican leader also reportedly told journalists that in what he examined of Trump's posts, Trump was "defining the crime of treason" but that "attorneys have to analyze the language and establish all that."
White House Reaction
During a White House press conference on that day, when inquired by a journalist, "Is the president want to execute elected officials?", the White House press secretary replied: "Certainly not."
"Let's be clear about what the ex-commander in chief is responding to," the spokesperson said. "You have sitting members of the American legislature who worked together to arrange a digital communication to personnel of the US military, to current military personnel urging them to disobey the president's lawful orders."
She said: "The sanctity of our defense system depends on the command structure, and if that system is compromised, it can result in people getting killed, it can cause disorder, and that's what these members of Congress ... are basically promoting."