In a controversial social media statement, former President Donald Trump accused six Democratic lawmakers of 'seditious behaviour, punishable by death' after they released a video urging U.S. service members to refuse unlawful commands.

Trump's remarks followed the Democrats' video, shared by Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin, featuring Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and other representatives who emphasized that military personnel are not obliged to follow illegal orders. In response to Trump's comments, the lawmakers asserted that no intimidation would deter their commitment to constitutional safeguards.

In the video, Senator Kelly, a former Navy officer, stated, 'Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.' The lawmakers contended that the current administration is creating division between military and civilian populations, stating, 'threats against our Constitution are present from within and without.'

Trump's series of posts on Truth Social condemned these statements as 'seditious behaviour' and demanded the lawmakers' arrest and trial, stressing that such remarks are detrimental to the fabric of the nation.

During a White House briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that Trump was advocating for violence against Congress members, suggesting that critical focus should remain on the lawmakers' comments which could incite military defiance.

In response to the heated exchange, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called upon Trump to retract his violent rhetoric, while Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson defended Trump's interpretation of sedition, deeming the lawmakers' video as 'wildly inappropriate.'

The escalating political tensions come amid a national climate of fear over rising politically motivated violence, with recent studies indicating that a significant majority of Americans perceive an increase in such threats. An uptick in attacks against public officials has emerged as a concerning trend, mirroring the heightened rhetoric in political discourse.