Democrats expressed outrage after Donald Trump accused a group of Democratic lawmakers of engaging in SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH, and that they should be arrested after releasing a video in which they told active duty military members to refuse illegal orders.
The video, released Tuesday, features six Democratic lawmakers who have previously served in the military or in intelligence roles, including Senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, as well as Representatives Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio, Chrissy Houlahan and Jason Crow.
Like us, you all took an oath to protect and defend this constitution, the lawmakers said in the 90-second video. And right now, the threats to our constitution are not just coming from abroad, but right here at home. Our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders, you can refuse illegal orders, you must refuse illegal orders. No one is required to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution.
This appeared to spark a furious response from the US president.
On Thursday morning, Trump wrote on Truth Social: This is called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each of these traitors to our country should be arrested and tried.
In another article, he wrote: This is really bad and dangerous for our country. Their words cannot stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR OF TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM ??? President DJT. In a third post, he added: SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH! He also reposted a statement that said: HANGING THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!
Following Trump's statements Thursday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar issued a joint statement condemning the remarks.
Political violence has no place in America, they write. Representatives Jason Crow, Chris DeLuzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan as well as Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin have all served our country with immense patriotism and distinction. We unequivocally condemn the disgusting and dangerous death threats made by Donald Trump against members of Congress and call on House Republicans to forcefully do the same.
Democratic leaders also said they have been in contact with the House Sergeant at Arms and the U.S. Capitol Police to ensure the safety of those members and their families.
Donald Trump must immediately delete these unbalanced social media posts and renounce his violent rhetoric before having anyone killed, the statement added.
The lawmakers appearing in the video also released a statement.
We are veterans and national security professionals who love this country and have taken an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, they said. This oath lasts a lifetime and we intend to uphold it. No threat, intimidation or call to violence will distract us from this sacred obligation.
Most telling is that the president considers rewriting the law punishable by death, they continued. Our military must know that we support them as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and their obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.
They added: All Americans must come together and condemn the president's calls for our murder and political violence. The time has come for moral clarity.
Chuck Schumer, Democratic minority leader in the Senate, also condemned Trump's comments and posted on X: Let's be very clear: the President of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials.
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He added: This is a THREAT pure and simple. Every senator, every representative, every American, regardless of party, should condemn this immediately and without reservation.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump's claim that Democrats had engaged in sedition, calling the video entirely inappropriate, adding: "It's very dangerous, you have leading members of Congress telling troops to disobey orders, I think that's unprecedented in American history."
Johnson also reportedly told the Independent that in what he had read of Trump's messages, Trump defined the crime of sedition.
But obviously the lawyers have to analyze the language and figure all that out. What I'm saying, what I will say unequivocally, is that it was a completely inappropriate thing for so-called congressional leaders to encourage young troops to disobey orders, Johnson added.
White House says Trump doesn't want to run video of Democratic lawmakers
At a White House press conference Thursday afternoon, when asked by a reporter: "Does the president want to execute members of Congress?" ", Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, replied: No.
Let's be clear about the president's response, Leavitt said. You have sitting members of the United States Congress conspiring together to orchestrate a video message to members of the United States military, to active duty military personnel, encouraging them to defy the president's lawful orders.
She said: The sanctity of our military rests in the chain of command, and if that chain of command is broken, it can lead to people dying, it can lead to chaos, and that's essentially what these members of Congress are encouraging.
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