Trump accuses lawmakers of actions 'punishable by death,' Minnesota officials react
Outrage over Trump's 'seditious behavior' comments
Many Minnesota officials and lawmakers are reacting after President Donald Trump made comments on social media after Democratic lawmakers made a video regarding not following unlawful orders in the military. FOX 9's Mike Manzoni has the story.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Minnesota officials are condemning a statement made by President Trump that accused lawmakers of "seditious behavior, punishable by death" in response to a video where they urged members of the military to not carry out illegal orders.
The Hennepin County attorney is telling anyone who feels threatened to reach out to her office, while DFL lawmakers widely condemned the language.
READ MORE: Trump threatens Slotkin, other members of Congress with jail time over video to military
The video that spurred the president's response can be viewed below:
Minnesota lawmaker response
MN GOP response:
Senate Republican Leader Mark Johnson (R-East Grand Forks) provided the following statement:
"Violent rhetoric has no place in politics, nor does selective partisan outrage about violent rhetoric. Gov. Walz shamelessly joked about waking up to find out President Trump may have died, and Minnesotan Democrats were silent.
"That’s because they would much rather talk about Trump than work to lower the cost of living, slow government growth, or take meaningful action to stop the fraud that plagues our state. The legislative session is only months away, Minnesota Democrats should focus on what we can control here in Minnesota, rather than fanning political flames."
A House GOP spokesperson gave the following statement:
"Outrage over rhetoric from the party of ‘be meaner’ and ‘bully the sh*t out of them’ rings hollow. Even faced with a Democrat party that is increasingly supportive of using violence to accomplish political goals, House GOP leaders have consistently rejected violent rhetoric against political opponents, and that has not changed."
DFL condemnation:
Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) shared the following statement:
"Only months ago, our state was the site of a political terrorist attack on the Hortman and Hoffman families, an attack that threatened many Democratic members of the Legislature. Donald Trump’s threat to Democratic members of Congress is horrific and puts lives in danger. Patriotic members of Congress who served our nation urged Americans to resist illegal orders from this president, and Donald Trump just proved again why they must. Republicans in Minnesota, from Congress to the Capitol need to join us in condemning this violent rhetoric. It has no place in our democracy."
DFL House Leader Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids) echoed those sentiments in the following statement:
"Donald Trump has once again fanned the flames of political violence. His rhetoric puts lives in danger. As someone who is the leader of this caucus only because Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed in an act of political violence, Donald Trump's threats are beyond the pale. They are abhorrent. We cannot and should not tolerate language that invites violence. It is incumbent on leadership from all parties to reject his comments in the strongest possible terms. Anyone who will not condemn these comments is not fit for public office."
Minnesota State Senator Scott Dibble (DFL-Minneapolis) shared a statement that said, in part:
"President Trump’s call for the execution of his political opponents is abhorrent, dangerous, and fundamentally incompatible with democracy. No President—no elected official in this nation—can ever call for the death of fellow Americans for exercising their constitutional rights. That Speaker Mike Johnson would defend and excuse such an incitement is equally disgraceful and disqualifying.
"For me and for Minnesota, this is not an abstract concern. We have lived the devastating consequences of violent political extremism fueled by this rhetoric."
Hennepin County Attorney response
What they're saying:
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office released a statement telling anyone who feels threatened to reach out to her office in the following statement:
"The President of the United States is calling for the deaths of politicians. Language has consequences and can unleash terrifying behavior. We saw political violence this summer that ripped through our community. To anyone in our community who feels threatened and needs help, we encourage you to reach out to our office."
Political violence in Minnesota
Vance Boelter indicted on first-degree murder
Vance Boelter has been indicted on first-degree murder charges after he killed Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. FOX 9's Mike Manzoni has the story.
The backstory:
Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, along with their dog, were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home on June 14, 2025.
Sen. Hoffman and his wife Yvette were injured by gunfire in their Champlin home.
Investigators say the suspect, Vance Boelter, also went to two other Democratic lawmakers' homes that night.
READ MORE: MN Republicans call out misinformation spread by far-right influencer about Rep. Hortman
What did the President say?
Trump accuses lawmakers of 'seditious behavior, punishable by death'
The White House responded to questions from reporters about President Trump accusing democratic lawmakers of "seditious behavior, punishable by death" after they urged members of the military not to carry out illegal orders. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "The sanctity of our military rests on the chain of command."
Big picture view:
Responding to a video posted on social media by members of Congress, President Donald Trump labeled the recording "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR" that's "punishable by DEATH!"
Posting the statement on his Truth Social account, Trump threatened the members of Congress with jail time.
"It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL. Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET. President DJT"
The other side:
In response to the threats, the targeted members — all Democrats — issued a joint statement saying, "No threat, intimidation, or call for violence will deter us from that sacred obligation."
The statement, in response to Trump's threats, came from two U.S. Senators and four U.S. Representatives who rebuked the president over his remarks.
"What’s most telling is that the President considers it punishable by death for us to restate the law. Our servicemembers should know that we have their backs as they fulfill their oath to the Constitution and obligation to follow only lawful orders. It is not only the right thing to do, but also our duty.
"But this isn’t about any one of us. This isn’t about politics. This is about who we are as Americans. Every American must unite and condemn the President’s calls for our murder and political violence. This is a time for moral clarity.
"In these moments, fear is contagious, but so is courage. We will continue to lead and will not be intimidated.
"Don’t Give Up the Ship!"
The members of Congress include U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Representatives Jason Crow (D-CO-06), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06).
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
The Source: This story uses information shared taken from post made by President Trump, statements from the White House Press Secretary and Minnesota officials.