Democratic senators are standing firm against what they describe as intimidation tactics from former President Donald Trump, who recently suggested that certain lawmakers should face execution for their political positions.
Senators Refuse to Be Intimidated
Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat from Arizona, has publicly declared that he will not be intimidated after Trump accused him and several colleagues of "seditious behaviour punishable by death" in social media posts. The controversy emerged after Kelly and other Democrats released a message reminding military and intelligence personnel that they are not obligated to follow illegal orders.
"We've heard very little, basically crickets, from Republicans in the United States Congress about what the president has said about hanging members of Congress," Kelly stated during an appearance on CBS's Face the Nation on Sunday. The senator reiterated his call for congressional Republicans to publicly reject Trump's threatening language.
Widespread Condemnation from Democrats
Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar joined the condemnation, describing Trump's response as "dangerous" during her appearance on Meet the Press. "What is dangerous is the president of the United States threatening these members of Congress with death," Klobuchar emphasized. "Literally, saying that they should be executed."
The political firestorm comes amid revelations about the geographical distribution of Trump's online supporters. A new transparency feature on X, formerly known as Twitter, has shown that many influential "Make America great again" (Maga) personalities on the platform are based outside the United States, including in Russia, Nigeria, and India.
Broader Political Fallout
In related developments, New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani reaffirmed his characterization of Trump as a "fascist" and "despot" just days after the pair had a surprisingly cordial meeting at the White House. When asked if he still considered Trump a threat to democracy, Mamdani told NBC's Meet the Press: "Everything that I've said in the past I continue to believe."
Meanwhile, the controversial "department of government efficiency" (Doge) has reportedly been dissolved with eight months remaining on its contract. The office, known for invading federal agencies and firing thousands of workers, is no longer operating as a "centralized entity" according to Office of Personnel Management director Scott Kupor.
The ongoing political tensions highlight the deepening divisions in American politics as Democrats continue to challenge what they perceive as dangerous rhetoric from the former president while maintaining their constitutional oversight responsibilities.
