Sen. Chris Murphy urged influential Americans to take a stand after President Trump referred to a group of Democrats as “traitors” and reshared messages calling for severe punishment, including references to hanging and death. Murphy said the posts amounted to a call for execution and demanded that leaders speak up. The remarks followed a video of six Democrats with military and intelligence backgrounds advising service members they may refuse illegal orders. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also condemned Trump’s rhetoric as intolerable for a democracy.
Murphy Urges Influential Americans to ‘Pick a F‑‑‑ing Side’ After Trump’s ‘Seditious’ Posts
Sen. Chris Murphy urged influential Americans to take a stand after President Trump referred to a group of Democrats as “traitors” and reshared messages calling for severe punishment, including references to hanging and death. Murphy said the posts amounted to a call for execution and demanded that leaders speak up. The remarks followed a video of six Democrats with military and intelligence backgrounds advising service members they may refuse illegal orders. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also condemned Trump’s rhetoric as intolerable for a democracy.
02:08 AM, 11/21/2025Politics
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Thursday called on prominent Americans to take a stand after President Donald Trump posted messages referring to a group of Democrats as “traitors” and amplifying calls for extreme punishment.
On the social platform X, Murphy said the president’s language amounted to calling for Democratic members of Congress to be executed, noting that Trump had shared a post reading “HANG THEM.” Murphy wrote: “If you’re a person of influence in this country and you haven’t picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a f‑‑‑ing side.”
The remarks followed a series of Truth Social posts by Mr. Trump in response to a video featuring six Democrats with military and intelligence backgrounds. In the video, the lawmakers addressed service members directly: “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders.”
Trump and some allies criticized the video, accusing the lawmakers of undermining the government. On Truth Social the president wrote: “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country. Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???” In another post he added: “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!”
Sen. Chris Murphy (X): “The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. ‘HANG THEM’. If you’re a person of influence in this country and you haven’t picked a side, maybe now would be the time to pick a f‑‑‑ing side.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also condemned the posts on X, saying: “Donald Trump has made political violence a feature of his politics. Today he crossed yet another line that NO democracy can afford to tolerate. He must be condemned—forcefully, loudly, and without excuses.”
These comments come amid heightened concern about political violence and threats against public figures in the United States. Authorities and political leaders across the spectrum have warned that incendiary rhetoric can contribute to a dangerous climate.
Requests for comment were sent to the White House.