Trump seized on the message as a direct attack on his authority, branding the lawmakers «traitors» engaged in «SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR» and using his Truth Social feed to demand their arrest and hint that their actions should be «punishable by DEATH!».
Trump seized on the message as a direct attack on his authority, branding the lawmakers «traitors» engaged in «SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR» and using his Truth Social feed to demand their arrest and hint that their actions should be «punishable by DEATH!».
On Truth Social
Donald Trump spent hours on Truth Social railing against multiple Democratic lawmakers, repeatedly boosting posts suggesting they should be hanged and amplifying calls for extreme punishment. In one of his own messages, Trump wrote that those lawmakers’ actions should be «punishable by DEATH!».
Six Democratic lawmakers
Trump erupted after six Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds released a video urging service members and intelligence officials to refuse illegal orders, reminding them that their oath is to the Constitution, not to any one president.
The rule of law
They say they recorded the video at a moment when Trump’s escalating attacks on democratic institutions, his threats to prosecute political opponents, and his repeated demands for absolute loyalty from the military and intelligence community have intensified concerns about protecting the rule of law and ensuring that no president can bypass constitutional limits.
Senator Mark Kelly
The video featured Senator Elissa Slotkin (former CIA analyst and Iraq war veteran), Senator Mark Kelly (former Navy pilot and astronaut), Representative Jason Crow (former Army Ranger), Representative Maggie Goodlander (former Navy reservist), Representative Chris Deluzio (former Navy officer), and Representative Chrissy Houlahan (former Air Force officer).
Cannot be allowed
In a single Truth Social post, Trump shared an article about the video and wrote: «This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT».
«punishable by DEATH!»
Trump seized on the message as a direct attack on his authority, branding the lawmakers «traitors» engaged in «SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR» and using his Truth Social feed to demand their arrest and hint that their actions should be «punishable by DEATH!».
The amplified posts
His rage-filled posting spree also included a series of retruths branding the Democratic lawmakers as «traitors», with some of the amplified posts even urging «HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!».
Hakeem Jeffries
House Democratic leaders condemned Trump’s rhetoric as incitement and a threat to their colleagues’ safety. House Democratic leaders denounced Trump’s posts as dangerous incitement that could lead to real-world violence. In a joint statement, Hakeem Jeffries and his leadership team warned: «We have been in contact with the House Sergeant at Arms and the United States Capitol Police to ensure the safety of these Members and their families. Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed.»
Governor Gavin Newsom
California Governor Gavin Newsom also sounded the alarm on X, writing: «Trump just reposted this. It is a call to hang Democratic lawmakers who spoke out against Trump.»