Hakeem Jeffries slams Trump over execution remarks, tells him to ‘keep his reckless mouth shut’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump suggested that Democratic lawmakers who encouraged the military to defy illegal orders could be executed, calling them traitors. His comments prompted an immediate and forceful response from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who warned that Trump’s rhetoric could lead to real-world violence.

Jeffries shared a post condemning Trump’s remarks, captioning it, “He should keep his mouth shut.” He later issued a joint statement with other senior Democratic leaders on Thursday, November 20, beginning with the message: “Political violence has no place in America.”

Hakeem Jeffries condemns Donald Trump’s ‘reckless mouth shut’ threat

Jeffries, alongside other top Democrats, released a detailed statement sharply criticizing Trump’s escalating language. They listed the six lawmakers Trump had singled out: Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan, and Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin. All six have served in the military or intelligence community.

“We unequivocally condemn Donald Trump’s disgusting and dangerous death threats against Members of Congress and call on House Republicans to forcefully do the same,” they wrote.

The statement also accused Trump of continuing to obsess over the 2020 election and using inflammatory claims to rile his supporters. “The President’s violent and unhinged rhetoric against American patriots is consistent with his well-documented history of attacking prisoners of war, Gold Star families and war heroes. There is no bottom when it comes to Donald Trump,” the letter stated. 

Donald Trump targets Democratic lawmakers over video on illegal orders

Earlier that morning, Trump posted a series of messages on Truth Social accusing six Democratic lawmakers of treason. In one post, timestamped 9:17 a.m. ET, 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.” He later escalated the message with: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”

Trump also reposted a supporter who urged him to “hang them,” claiming such actions would mirror those taken by George Washington.

His comments appeared to be a direct response to a video posted by Senator Elissa Slotkin. The clip featured Slotkin, Senator Mark Kelly, and four House Democrats urging members of the military and intelligence community to refuse unlawful orders and uphold their constitutional oaths.

Slotkin captioned the video: “We want to speak directly to members of the Military and the Intelligence Community. The American people need you to stand up for our laws and our Constitution. Don’t give up the ship.”

Trump did not mention any of them by name in his initial response, but his subsequent posts made clear who he was targeting.