Former President Donald Trump has significantly softened his stance after suggesting six Democratic lawmakers could face execution for encouraging military personnel to disobey what they termed 'illegal orders'.
From Execution Threats to 'Serious Trouble'
In a striking reversal on Friday morning, Trump told Fox News host Brian Kilmeade: 'I'm not threatening death, but I think they're in serious trouble.' This marked a dramatic shift from his Thursday comments on Truth Social where he described the Democrats' actions as 'seditious behavior, punishable by death!'
The president attempted to contextualise his earlier remarks by noting: 'In the old days, it was death.' He added that contemporary punishments are less severe than historical ones, observing that 'modern day is a lot softer.'
Lawmakers Face Immediate Security Consequences
The six Democratic legislators targeted by Trump's comments - all military veterans - are now receiving round-the-clock protection from Capitol Police. The group includes Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, along with Representatives Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan.
Slotkin revealed the immediate security impact during a Thursday night MSNBC interview: 'Capitol Police came to us and said, "We're gonna put you on 24/7 security." We've got law enforcement out in front of my house. I mean, it changes things immediately.'
The Michigan senator expressed concern about the potential consequences of the president's language: 'If the president is saying you should be hanged, then we shouldn't be surprised when folks on the ground are going to follow suit and say even worse.'
Democratic Response and Security Concerns
Other Democrats directly criticised Trump for endangering their safety. Representative Chris Deluzio posted on X: 'Donald Trump is calling for my death and others, and every political leader should condemn the President's violent threats.'
Representative Jason Crow shared disturbing voicemails he received following Trump's remarks, including one where a caller threatened: 'I hope you all get f***ing throat slashed.'
The controversy stems from a video published earlier this week featuring the six veteran lawmakers urging US troops not to follow 'illegal orders'. However, the Democrats did not specify which orders they considered unlawful or what actions soldiers should take if given such commands.
Broader Context of Political Violence
This incident occurs amid heightened political tensions and violence in the United States. Recent months have witnessed several political attacks, including the assassination of conservative Turning Point USA leader Charlie Kirk and the murders of Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Ironically, following Kirk's assassination in September, Trump himself called for toning down political rhetoric: 'This kind of rhetoric is directly responsible for the terrorism that we're seeing in our country today, and it must stop right now.'
Despite walking back his death threat, Trump maintained on Friday that the Democrats are 'bad people' who 'broke the law'. He insisted: 'These are people that, in my opinion, broke the law. Now what happens to them? I can't tell you. But they broke the law.'
The president's position found some support from Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, who suggested the Democrats may have acted illegally. Johnson told CNN: 'I know the [Department of Justice] and the Pentagon are looking into the legality of all of that.' He described the lawmakers' actions as 'wildly inappropriate' and 'very dangerous'.
