President Donald Trump purported that Democrats who urged the military to defy illegal orders engaged in "sedition at the highest level" and "should be in jail right now." (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Trump initially responded to the video message by saying, "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" He also shared a post from another account that said, "Hang them George Washington would."
The White House and the president himself later attempted to walk back his comments, saying he did not wish to execute the Democrat lawmakers.
In another post on Saturday, Trump alleged that "many great legal scholars" agree with his position that "the Democrat traitors that told the military to disobey my orders, as president, have committed a crime of serious proportion!"
Slotkin, who previously worked at the CIA and Defense Department, shared the video on Tuesday of herself and other Democrat lawmakers who formerly served in the military and intelligence community encouraging troops and members of the intelligence community to ignore illegal orders from officials.
"This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens," the lawmakers said. "Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats coming to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home. Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution."
SEN. JOHN FETTERMAN ACCUSES TRUMP OF 'DANGEROUS RHETORIC'
The lawmakers in the video have vowed not to back down despite the threats. (Paul Sancya - Pool/Getty Images)
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The lawmakers in the video have vowed not to back down despite the threats.
"What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty," they said in a joint statement on Thursday.
"In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated," the statement added.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-dems-told-military-defy-illegal-orders-committed-sedition-highest-level