Donald Trump has sparked outrage by calling for the arrest of a group of Democratic lawmakers, accusing them of engaging in “seditious behaviour” that he said should be “punishable by death”. The former president issued the remarks on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, after the legislators posted a video telling active service members they should refuse illegal orders.
In a series of posts, Trump wrote: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” He later added: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” and reposted a statement reading: “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!”
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic whip Katherine Clark and Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar issued a joint statement condemning the remarks. “Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed,” the statement said.
The White House later walked back the president’s comments, stating that Trump does not actually want to see Democratic members of Congress executed. The controversy adds to a growing list of incendiary statements from the former president, who continues to maintain a strong influence within the Republican Party.
