• President Trump, through his press secretary, states his comments on Democratic lawmakers were not a literal threat of violence.
  • The clarification follows a Truth Social post where Trump accused six Democrats of 'seditious behavior' and reposted a message suggesting they be hanged.
  • The targeted lawmakers, all with military or intelligence backgrounds, have been granted additional security amid a surge in threats.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt moved to defuse a political firestorm on Friday, asserting that President Trump did not intend to threaten six Democratic lawmakers with physical harm after his social media posts the previous day ignited a furor. The effort to walk back the rhetoric came after Trump used his Truth Social platform on Thursday to accuse the legislators of 'seditious behavior' for their participation in a video urging military members to refuse illegal orders, calling their actions 'punishable by DEATH!' He also reposted a message from another user that urged the lawmakers be hanged.

'Let me be perfectly clear: the president does not want to see members of Congress executed,' Leavitt told reporters during an impromptu briefing. She characterized Trump's posts as a commentary on the 'grave legal and constitutional consequences' of the Democrats' actions, not a literal incitement to violence. The clarification, however, did little to quell the immediate backlash from Democratic leadership and failed to fully address the security concerns now surrounding the six individuals.

The targeted lawmakers—Senator Mark Kelly, a former Navy captain and NASA astronaut, and Senator Elissa Slotkin, a former CIA officer, among others—immediately banded together in response. In a joint statement, they affirmed they were 'veterans and national security professionals who love this country' and that their oath to defend the Constitution 'lasts a lifetime,' vowing not to be deterred by the presidential rhetoric.

Behind the scenes, the fallout was more tangible. According to people familiar with the matter, Capitol Police have arranged for enhanced security details for the six Democrats following a noticeable spike in threatening communications. The law enforcement agency is already on track to assess well over 14,000 potential threats against members of Congress this year, a figure that underscores the heightened risk of political violence.

The political divide was stark. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused Trump of 'lighting a match in a country soaked with political gasoline,' while the Democratic Party apparatus labeled the president's original comments 'absolutely vile.' Across the aisle, House Speaker Mike Johnson offered a nuanced defense, stopping short of endorsing Trump's language but supporting the substance of his position that the Democratic video encouraged military disobedience.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timing of the White House clarification. It was issued on Friday, November 22, 2025.