Former US President Donald Trump has ignited a major political firestorm by suggesting the death penalty for Democratic lawmakers he accuses of 'seditious behavior.' This unprecedented threat, made on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, November 21, 2025, targets six senators and representatives who urged military personnel to refuse illegal orders.
Trump's 'Traitors' Accusation and Death Penalty Post
In a series of aggressive online posts, Trump reacted to a video posted by the Democratic lawmakers on Tuesday. The group, which includes individuals with distinguished service backgrounds, had stated that military members 'can refuse illegal orders.' Trump labeled this action as 'SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS' and initially called for them to be 'LOCKED UP.'
He then escalated the rhetoric dramatically in a subsequent post, declaring this behavior to be 'punishable by DEATH!' Furthermore, Trump reposted a message from another user that explicitly urged him to 'hang them,' attempting to draw a historical parallel to the first US president, George Washington.
Who Are the Targeted Democrats and What Did They Say?
The Democratic lawmakers at the center of the controversy all have backgrounds in national security or the military. They include Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy officer and NASA astronaut, and Senator Elissa Slotkin, who served with the CIA in Iraq.
In their video, they accused Trump of 'pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens.' While they did not specify the exact orders, the context points to Trump's deployment of the National Guard in US cities against local officials' wishes and his controversial strikes on alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, which have left more than 80 people dead and are considered illegal by experts.
Furious Backlash and Warnings of Incitement
The reaction from the Democratic Party was swift and severe. The party's official X account condemned Trump's statements as 'absolutely vile.' The targeted lawmakers themselves vowed not to be intimidated, reaffirming their lifelong oath to defend the US Constitution.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer delivered a powerful rebuke on the Senate floor, accusing Trump of fanning the flames of violence. 'When Donald Trump uses the language of execution and treason, some of his supporters may very well listen,' Schumer warned. 'He is lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline.'
This is not the first time Trump has evoked the death penalty against a critic. In 2023, he made a similar statement about his former top military officer, Mark Milley. The latest controversy comes as Trump faces significant political pressure, with his grip on the Republican party shaken by the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and recent Democratic electoral victories in New York, New Jersey, and Virginia.
