Democrats condemn Trump after he says they should be punished ‘by death’ over video post | Democrats

Democrats expressed anger after Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic lawmakers of being “traitors” and saying they should be arrested and punished “by death” after they released a video in which they told active service members they should refuse illegal orders.

videoThe report, released Tuesday, names six Democratic lawmakers who previously served in the military or intelligence, including senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly and representatives Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan and Jason Crow.

“You all took an oath to protect and defend this constitution, like us,” the MPs said in the 90-second video. “And right now the threats to our constitution are coming not only from abroad, but also from within. Our laws are clear, you can reject illegal orders, you can reject illegal orders, you must reject illegal orders. No one is obliged to follow orders that violate the law or our constitution.”

This appeared to provoke an angry response from the US president.

Trump on Thursday morning wrote In Truth Social: “This is seditious behavior at the HIGHEST LEVEL. Each and every one of these traitors MUST be arrested and TRIALD.”

in another way to mailwrote: “This is truly evil and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. CREATIVE BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT.” In your third message added: “AGAINST BEHAVIOR is punishable by DEATH!” He also reposted the statement: “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON!!”

Following Trump’s statements on Thursday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Party Rep. Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar issued a joint statement condemning these remarks.

“Political violence has no place in America,” they wrote. “Representatives Jason Crow, Chris DeLuzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan, and Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, have all served our country with tremendous patriotism and distinction. We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump’s disgusting and dangerous death threats against members of Congress and strongly urge House Republicans to do the same.”

Democratic leaders also said they were in contact with the House sergeant-at-arms and U.S. Capitol police “to ensure the safety of these members and their families.”

“Donald Trump should immediately delete these unstable social media posts and abandon his violent rhetoric before he kills someone,” the statement said.

The MPs featured in the video also released a statement.

“We are veterans and national security experts who love this country and are sworn to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States,” they said. “This oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it. No threat, intimidation or call to violence will deter us from this sacred obligation.”

“Most telling is that the president thinks that reforming the law is punishable by death,” they continued. “Our soldiers must know that we stand behind them as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and their obligation to obey only lawful orders. This is not only the right thing to do, it is our duty.”

They added: “Every American must unite and condemn the president’s calls for murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity.”

Democratic Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer also condemned Trump’s remarks and said: Published on X: “Let’s be very clear: The President of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials.”

He added: “This is a clear THREAT. Every Senator, every Representative, every American – regardless of party – must condemn this immediately and unconditionally.”

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump described the video as “deeply inappropriate”, claiming Democrats were engaging in “insurrection”, adding: “This is very dangerous, leading members of Congress telling soldiers not to follow orders, I think this is unprecedented in American history.”

Johnson also reportedly said Independent He said that when they read about Trump’s posts, Trump “defined the crime of sedition.”

“But of course the lawyers have to analyze the language and decide all of this. What I said, what I will say clearly, was a deeply inappropriate thing for so-called leaders in Congress to do to encourage young troops to disobey orders,” Johnson added.

At a press conference at the White House on Thursday afternoon, a reporter asked, “Does the President want to execute members of Congress?” In response to the question, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: replied: “NO.”

“Let’s be clear about what the president is responding to,” Leavitt said. “There are members of the United States Congress who conspired together to orchestrate a video message to members of the United States military and active duty service members encouraging them to defy lawful orders from the president.

He said: “The sanctity of our military is based on the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can lead to people getting killed, it can lead to chaos, and that’s essentially what these members of Congress are encouraging.”