Former President Donald Trump has sparked widespread outrage after demanding that several Democratic lawmakers face arrest and execution for what he called "seditious behaviour" following their video message to military personnel.
Military Oath Video Prompts Trump's Fury
The controversy began on Tuesday when six Democratic congress members with military or intelligence backgrounds released a 90-second video addressing active service members. The group included Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, alongside Representatives Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan and Jason Crow.
In the footage, the lawmakers reminded military personnel of their constitutional oath, stating: "Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this constitution. And right now, the threats to our constitution aren't just coming from abroad, but from right here at home."
They emphasised that service members have both the right and obligation to refuse illegal orders, repeating the phrase "you must refuse illegal orders" for emphasis.
Trump's Explosive Social Media Response
On Thursday morning, Trump responded with a series of incendiary posts on his Truth Social platform that immediately drew condemnation from across the political spectrum.
In one post, the former president declared: "It's called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL."
He followed with even more severe language, writing: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" and reposting a statement that called for hanging the lawmakers, referencing George Washington.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, later attempted to clarify Trump's position when questioned by reporters, stating simply: "No" when asked if the president wanted to execute members of Congress.
Democratic Condemnation and Security Concerns
House Democratic leaders responded swiftly with a joint statement from Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar condemning what they described as "disgusting and dangerous death threats."
They revealed that they had contacted the House sergeant at arms and United States Capitol police to ensure the safety of the targeted lawmakers and their families.
The six Democrats featured in the original video issued their own powerful response, stating: "We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country and swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution. That oath lasts a lifetime, and we intend to keep it."
They added pointedly: "What's most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law."
Republican Reactions and Divided Responses
While most Democrats united in condemnation, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson offered a different perspective, describing the Democratic video as "wildly inappropriate" and "very dangerous."
Johnson defended Trump's characterization of the behaviour as sedition, telling The Independent: "It is very dangerous, you have leading members of Congress telling troops to disobey orders, I think that's unprecedented in American history."
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer delivered one of the most stark assessments, stating clearly: "Let's be crystal clear: the President of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials."
The incident has raised fresh concerns about political violence and the appropriate boundaries of political discourse in the United States, with Democratic leaders calling on Republicans to join them in condemning Trump's rhetoric.
