Trump says Democrat lawmakers should be 'hanged' over seditious behavior
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has accused six Democratic lawmakers of "seditious behavior, punishable by death." The accusation came after the lawmakers released a video urging US service members to refuse unlawful commands. In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump called their actions "dangerous to our country" and suggested they should be arrested and put on trial. "TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???" he wrote in one post. In another, he said, "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!"
Defense stance
Lawmakers defend actions, reject Trump's accusations
The lawmakers, Senator Elissa Slotkin (Michigan), Senator Mark Kelly (Arizona), Representatives Chris DeLuzio (Pennsylvania), Chrissy Houlahan (Pennsylvania), and Jason Crow (Colorado), have defended their actions. They said Trump's remarks were threats against elected officials. "No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation," they said in a joint statement. All these senators have served either in the military or intelligence community
Clarification issued
White House press secretary clarifies president's stance
At a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Trump wasn't calling for their execution. "Many....want to talk about the president's response, but not what brought the president to respond in this way," she said, and accused the lawmakers of encouraging military personnel to defy "lawful orders." She instead said the media should focus on the lawmakers' comments. "They are literally saying to 1.3 million active duty service members to defy the chain of command," Leavitt said.
Violence concerns
Political violence on the rise in US
Trump's remarks come amid rising fears of politically motivated violence in the US. A Pew Research Center study found that 85% of Americans think political violence is on the rise. This year, there have been several high-profile incidents, including an arson attack on Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's home, the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, and the killing of a Democratic Minnesota lawmaker and her husband.