President Donald Trump is defending his reaction to a viral video featuring six Democratic lawmakers, saying his “punishable by death” comment was not a threat but a reference to the traditional penalties for sedition.
According to Fox News, the video, posted Tuesday by Sen. Elissa Slotkin and urging service members to reject “illegal” orders, has drawn nearly 17 million views on X. Trump responded repeatedly on his platform, Truth Social, prompting a wave of criticism from Democratic leaders.
During an interview on Friday with Fox News Radio’s Brian Kilmeade, Trump said his remarks were being misinterpreted.
“I’m not threatening them, but I think they’re in serious trouble,” he said, adding that the lawmakers’ statements amounted to unlawful conduct.
On Truth Social, Trump had called the video “really bad, and dangerous to our country,” writing, “Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
He followed with another post declaring, “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
Democrats seized on those comments, accusing Trump of encouraging violence toward political opponents. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor that Trump was openly calling “for the execution of elected officials.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his leadership team labeled the statements “disgusting and dangerous.”
Trump insisted Friday that his comments referred to how sedition was historically punished, not what he believes should happen now.
“In the old days, if you said a thing like that, that was punishable by death,” he said, reiterating his view that the lawmakers “broke the law.”
Trump also raised concerns that the video could influence military personnel, suggesting it might encourage troops to disobey lawful commands. He said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were reviewing the matter.
“They’re looking into it militarily. I don’t know for a fact, but I think the military is looking into it, the military courts,” he said.
The administration has not released additional details about any review.
