Trump's Call for 'Seditious' Lawmakers' Execution Sparks Widespread Outcry from Democratic Leaders

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries publicly condemned President Donald Trump's recent social media posts, asserting, "Donald Trump should keep his reckless mouth shut," according to his recent tweet. This strong rebuke came after President Trump accused several Democratic lawmakers of "seditious behavior, punishable by death," following their video urging military personnel to refuse illegal orders. The controversy unfolded on November 20-21, 2025, highlighting escalating political tensions in Washington D.C.

President Trump's incendiary remarks were posted on his Truth Social platform, where he called for the arrest and trial of lawmakers, stating, "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" These posts targeted Democratic legislators, many of whom are veterans, who had released a video advising military and intelligence officers to "refuse illegal orders" that violate the Constitution. Trump also reposted content suggesting, "HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!"

In response, Leader Jeffries, alongside Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, issued a joint statement demanding that "Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed these concerns, stating, "The president of the United States is calling for the execution of elected officials. This is an outright threat, and it’s deadly serious." Several targeted lawmakers reported increased threats and received Capitol Police protection.

The White House later attempted to walk back the President's comments, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarifying that Trump did not wish to see members of Congress executed. House Speaker Mike Johnson, while criticizing the Democratic lawmakers' video as "wildly inappropriate" and "dangerous," also distanced himself from Trump's specific rhetoric, noting, "the words that the president chose are not the ones that I would use."

This incident underscores growing concerns over political violence and the impact of extreme rhetoric in the current political climate. Democratic leaders emphasized the gravity of the President's statements, with Senator Chris Murphy remarking that such posts put "all of our lives in jeopardy." The episode adds to a series of high-profile political attacks and increasing threats against public figures.