President Donald Trump on Thursday escalated his attacks on political rivals, sharing posts online that directly called for their execution.
Trump targeted a group of prominent Democrats who had released a video urging U.S. service members and intelligence officers to refuse illegal orders. In one post, he wrote bluntly: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
The post followed his reaction to the video, in which he fumed: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
Trump then amplified supporters’ violent rhetoric, reposting messages that included explicit calls for hanging the lawmakers. “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD !!” one post reads.
The Democrats’ video, released Tuesday, features senators Elissa Slotkin and Mark Kelly, and Representatives Chrissy Houlahan, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Jason Crow. They speak directly to U.S. troops and intelligence personnel, reminding them of their oath to the Constitution and that they “can refuse illegal orders.” The group emphasized that threats to the Constitution come not only from abroad but also from within the U.S., urging service members to “not give up the ship.”
While the video did not specify exactly what would count as an illegal order, Crow addressed it on Fox News Wednesday: “We are standing by our troops, our service members who are often put in very difficult positions, and Donald Trump has put them in very difficult positions and has alluded to putting them in even more difficult positions in the months and years ahead. So we are reminding folks about what the uniform code of military justice says, what the Constitution says, what the law of war says.”
Crow, a former Army Ranger and Bronze Star recipient, represents Colorado’s 6th congressional district and serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Armed Services Committee. He referenced Trump’s past comments, including suggesting protesters be shot in the legs, sending military forces into U.S. cities, and deploying troops to polling stations—actions that would all violate U.S. law.
The Democrats’ warnings have sparked swift pushback from Republicans and Trump allies. Stephen Miller accused the lawmakers of stoking “insurrection” and demanded they “resign in disgrace.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth weighed in on X with a single post: “Stage 4 TDS.”
Trump’s posts mark a disturbing escalation in his rhetoric, directly invoking violence against sitting members of Congress. By amplifying calls for hanging, he has injected dangerous imagery into an already volatile political climate, drawing widespread concern over the potential consequences.
