Congressional Democratic leaders issued [1] warnings Thursday after President Donald Trump posted several messages on Truth Social accusing a group of Democratic senators and representatives of “sedition.”
The posts referenced a viral video in which six Democratic lawmakers urged members of the military and intelligence community to reject “illegal” orders from superiors.
President Trump wrote that the video was “really bad, and Dangerous to our Country.”
He added, “Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT.”
In a subsequent post, he wrote, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
He also reposted another user who wrote, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., responded on the Senate floor.
He said President Trump was explicitly calling “for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious.”
Schumer said, “Every time Donald Trump posts things like this, he makes political violence more likely.”
He continued, “When Donald Trump uses the language of execution and treason, some of his supporters may very well listen. He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline.”
NOW: Sen. Chuck Schumer is LIVID on the Senate floor after President Trump accused Democrats of demanding violent rebellion against him from the military and CIA
“The president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials! This is an outright threat… pic.twitter.com/TFd955B3wq [2]
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) November 20, 2025 [3]
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., issued a joint statement with House Democratic leadership.
They condemned what they called President Trump’s “disgusting and dangerous death threats against Members of Congress” and called on House Republicans to join them.
Jeffries said, “We have been in contact with the House Sergeant-at-Arms and the United States Capitol Police to ensure the safety of these Members and their families. Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed.”
Donald Trump should keep his reckless mouth shut. pic.twitter.com/rTU7ALPUqj [4]
— Hakeem Jeffries (@RepJeffries) November 20, 2025 [5]
The video cited in President Trump’s posts featured Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Reps. Maggie Goodlander, D-N.H., Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., Jason Crow, D-Colo., and Chris Deluzio, D-Pa.
In the video, the lawmakers called on military personnel to refuse to follow unlawful orders.
We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community.
The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution.
Don’t give up the ship. pic.twitter.com/N8lW0EpQ7r [6]
— Sen. Elissa Slotkin (@SenatorSlotkin) November 18, 2025 [7]
Republicans and officials in the Trump administration criticized the video and asked the lawmakers to specify what they considered to be unlawful directives.
NEW: WH Deputy Chief of Staff @StephenM [8] BLASTS Democrats who told military to refuse orders: “These lawmakers should RESIGN in DISGRACE and never return to public office again,” he tells Fox’s @willcain [9]. pic.twitter.com/xnAYTUXGfe [10]
— TV News Now (@TVNewsNow) November 19, 2025 [11]
The video circulated as lawmakers questioned the legality of President Trump’s authorization of strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean.
It also followed the administration’s decision to deploy National Guard personnel to several major cities.
“Stuff like this gets people killed. It creates stupid rules of engagement, some of which killed my friends personally, because they want to play political grandstand games with no intention of backing the soldier up when he does the bidding that they subtly encouraged.”… pic.twitter.com/5M4lk4hOS9 [12]
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) November 21, 2025 [13]
The exchange occurred during a period of heightened concern about political violence.
There have been two attempted assassinations of President Trump, as well as the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
Threats against members of Congress have also increased over the last several years.