Within a post last week on Trump’s Truth Social page, Trump wrote, that democratic lawmaker’s actions were “really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
In a separate post, Trump wrote, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
The president’s threatening social media messages were in response to a Nov. 18 video published on X in which Democratic lawmakers and other leaders reminded service members that they had sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution.
Six lawmakers—Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Penn.), Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), and Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.)—all formerly served either in the military or the intelligence community and were featured on the video.
“Right now, the threats to the Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home,” they said in the video. “Our laws are clear: You can refuse illegal orders.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. warned Thursday that President Donald Trump’s threats against Democratic lawmakers on social media could have deadly consequences.
“He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline,” Schumer said, adding that Trump’s execution threats could incite his followers to violence.
Schumer called on Republicans to denounce Trump’s comments.
House Democratic leaders denounced Trump’s posts in a statement saying they contacted the Sergeant at Arms and the U.S. Capitol Police to “ensure the safety of these Members and their families.”
From several Valley locations, Northeast Valley News asked Arizona voters:
“Did Trump go too far on his social media post citing charges of sedition, imprisonment and possible death after Democratic officials, veterans and former members of U.S. intelligence posted a video addressing members of the military about the oath to the Constitution?”
Out of the 20 voters polled, 75% (15 individuals) said, they believe Trump has gone too far.
One individual said Trump had not gone too far in his threats and the remaining polled said they didn’t believe Trump was actually serious when he wrote the post.
“Oh, he’s definitely gone too far, but everything he does is too far. The president calling for the execution of an elected official—can he even do that as president? Yes, Trump’s gone too far,” said Alicia Martinez of Cave Creek.
Of the 15 who said the president’s comments had gone too far, one veteran, Mike Blanchard, told Northeast Valley News, “Trump is clearly losing it—he would absolutely carry out the threat in that stupid post if he thought he could back it with his own military and public support. But he doesn’t have either.”
“I don’t really think he meant to literally execute the democrats who put the video out, but he was pretty upset by it,” said Maxine Weinstein, who admitted she had voted for Trump but had become regretful of her vote of late.
Some polled felt the Democratic lawmakers were justified in releasing the video message because they simply reminded military personnel of their duties and oath to the Constitution.
A few voters nodded their heads in agreement when the actual video message from the Democrats in question was played for them.
Trump is facing a series of legal challenges that could derail his plans to use the military for policing.
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the wording of the law Trump has used for many of his domestic deployments.
The court’s answer could make his actions illegal.
