Trump news at a glance: president says Democrats should be arrested for ‘seditious behavior’, drawing outrage

After Trump logged on and chose violence, Democratic leaders condemned his ‘disgusting and dangerous death threats’ – key US politics stories from 19 November

Donald Trump called for the arrest of a group of Democratic lawmakers he accused of engaging in “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH”.

The president’s remarks, issued on his Truth Social platform on Thursday morning, came after the legislators posted a video in which they told active service members they should refuse illegal orders.

In another post, he wrote: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP??? President DJT.” In a third post, he added: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” He also reposted a statement that said: “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD!!”

Following Trump’s statements on Thursday, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic whip Katherine Clark and Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar released a joint statement condemning the remarks.

“Donald Trump must immediately delete these unhinged social media posts and recant his violent rhetoric before he gets someone killed,” the statement added.

The White House walked back the president’s comments later Thursday, saying Trump does not want to see Democratic members of Congress executed.