Trump Posts “Death Penalty” for Democrats – White House Forced to Clarify He Didn’t Mean Execution

President Donald Trump triggered a political firestorm overnight after posting on his social media that six Democratic lawmakers who urged U.S. troops to refuse illegal orders are “traitors” whose “mutinous behavior warrants the death penalty.”

In a series of unusually inflammatory posts, Trump:

The targeted Democrats are former national-security officials, including:

Rep. Elissa Slotkin (ex-CIA)

Sen. Mark Kelly (former Navy pilot and astronaut)

Reps. Jason Crow, Mikie Sherrill, Chrissy Houlahan, and Gil Cisneros

In a video the lawmakers released, they reminded active-duty service members that the law permits - and sometimes requires - refusal of unlawful orders and urged them to remain loyal to the Constitution.

The barrage immediately sparked panic in Washington and sharp Democratic condemnations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was forced to issue an extraordinary clarification, stressing that the president “does not want members of Congress executed” and that his words must be understood “in the context that provoked his anger,” insisting they should not be interpreted as a genuine threat.

Democratic Senator Chris Coons responded furiously: “Calling for the execution of elected lawmakers is blood-curdling behavior typical of authoritarian regimes, not the President of the United States.” He demanded Republicans publicly disavow Trump’s statements and make clear such rhetoric is unacceptable.