Trump labels the Democrats’ communication to soldiers as treasonous actions, deserving of capital punishment.

President Donald Trump charged six Democratic legislators with “seditious conduct, punishable by death,” following their release of a video calling for US service members to disobey unlawful commands.

“This is incredibly bad, and perilous to our Nation. Their remarks cannot remain unchallenged. SEDITIOUS CONDUCT FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??,” Trump posted on social media.

The six legislators, all of whom have had military or intelligence experience, denounced Trump’s remarks as menacing, claiming they represented threats against elected officials.

“No threat, intimidation, or incitement to violence will dissuade us from that hallowed obligation,” they stated in a collective statement.

The Democrats’ video, shared by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, features Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Representatives Chris DeLuzio from Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander from New Hampshire, Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania, and Jason Crow from Colorado.

Senator Kelly, a Navy veteran and former astronaut, asserts: “Our laws are explicit. You can decline illegal commands.”

“No one is obligated to execute orders that breach the law or our constitution,” the legislators state in the video.

“This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community members against American citizens,” it cautions. “Like us, you all pledged an oath to safeguard and defend this Constitution. Presently, the dangers to our Constitution are not solely arising from abroad but also from right here at home.”

Trump’s reply early Thursday manifested in several posts on Truth Social.

“It’s recognized as SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each of these traitorous individuals should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their statements must not be permitted to persist — We will not have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET,” he commented in one post on Thursday.

He further stated: “This is incredibly bad, and perilous to our Nation. Their remarks cannot remain unchallenged. SEDITIOUS CONDUCT FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”

In a subsequent post, he said: “SEDITIOUS CONDUCT, punishable by DEATH!”

Trump also shared a TruthSocial post reading “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!”

During a Thursday press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed any notion that Trump was advocating for the execution of Congress members.

“Many in this room are eager to discuss the president’s reaction but not what provoked the president’s response,” she stated, accusing the lawmakers of prompting military personnel to disobey “lawful orders”.

Leavitt quickly responded “no” when queried at a Thursday afternoon White House press briefing if Trump seeks to “execute” Congress members, suggesting the media should direct attention to the lawmakers’ remarks.

“They are literally instructing 1.3 million active duty service members to defy the chain of command, refusing to comply with lawful orders,” Leavitt said at Thursday’s press briefing.

“It potentially could be punishable by law,” she mentioned later.

Leaders of the US House of Representatives have indicated they are collaborating with Capitol Police to ensure adequate protection for the lawmakers – and their families – who find themselves at the center of Trump’s messages.

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned Trump’s comments, insisting that the president must “retract his violent language before it results in a death.”

Conversely, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson backed Trump, asserting that the president was merely “articulating the crime of sedition” and labeling the Democrats’ video “extremely inappropriate” and “highly dangerous”.

The Department of Justice and Pentagon are set to review the situation, he stated.

Trump’s statements arise amid escalating anxiety regarding politically driven violence in the US.

An October Pew Research Center survey revealed that 85% of Americans believe such violence is on the rise, a trend reflected in a November Politico and Public First poll.

Trump himself was a target in two reported assassination attempts – one at a political rally during his presidential campaign last year that resulted in one fatality. Trump and several others present sustained injuries.

This year has also witnessed numerous high-profile events, including the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, an arson attack on the residence of Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and the murder of a Democratic Minnesota lawmaker and her spouse.

Following Kirk’s death, many conservatives, including Trump, accused Democrats of being responsible for the escalating political violence in the US.

Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene recently expressed concern over the increased threats she has received since parting ways with Trump on various policies. Their dispute intensified last week when Trump made several posts about her, labeling her “wacky” and a “traitor”. Her son also faced a death threat, according to local authorities.

An increasing number of public officials report experiencing swatting – making false emergency calls to deploy a Special Weapons and Tactics team (Swat) – attempts recently.

This includes an Indiana Republican who was the subject of a separate Truth Social attack from the president regarding his position on state redistricting.