 "Trump's now for the release of the files after being against it after being for it. AFP")
A video circulating online has triggered fresh controversy after Trump reacted by calling for Democrats to be hanged.
In the clip, a group of lawmakers urge members of the US military to refuse any illegal orders they may receive, stressing that loyalty to the Constitution must come before political pressure.
Trump calls video ‘seditious behaviour’
US President Donald Trump accused six Democratic lawmakers of engaging in “seditious behaviour, punishable by death” after they released a video urging US service members to refuse unlawful commands.
“This is really bad, and dangerous to our country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???,” Trump wrote on social media.
The six lawmakers — all with backgrounds in the military or intelligence community — called Trump’s comments dangerous and said they amounted to threats against elected representatives.
“No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation,” they said in a joint statement.
What the Democratic video says
The video, shared by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, features Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Representatives Chris DeLuzio (Pennsylvania), Maggie Goodlander (New Hampshire), Chrissy Houlahan (Pennsylvania) and Jason Crow (Colorado).
Kelly, a Navy veteran and former astronaut, says in the video: “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.”
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View All“No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution,” the lawmakers say.
The video further states, “This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home.”
Truth Social posts escalate the fight
Trump followed up with a series of posts on Truth Social on Thursday morning.
“It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand — we won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET,” he wrote.
He added: “This is really bad, and dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
In another post, he wrote, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
Trump also reposted a Truth Social comment reading: “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!”
White House denies Trump was calling for executions
At a White House press briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against suggestions that Trump was calling for executions.
“Many in this room want to talk about the president’s response, but not what brought the president to responding in this way,” she said, accusing the lawmakers of encouraging service members to defy “lawful orders.”
Asked whether Trump wants to “execute” members of Congress, Leavitt said “no,” insisting the media should instead focus on the lawmakers’ remarks.
“They are literally saying to 1.3 million active duty service members to defy the chain of command, not to follow lawful orders,” she said, adding later that “it perhaps is punishable by law.”
House leadership said they are coordinating with Capitol Police to protect the lawmakers — and their families — targeted by Trump’s posts.