Connecticut U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy has called on Republicans and influential Americans to “pick a f—— side” in “a very dangerous moment” that he says threatens his own and other Democrats’ safety.
“The President of the United States just called for Democratic members of Congress to be executed. ‘HANG THEM’”, he posted,” Murphy said in a video posted to social media.
He said that he was considering his own safety, adding that “Every Democratic member of the Senate and the House’s life is in jeopardy right now.
“If you are a Republican in Congress, if you are a Republican governor, maybe it’s time to draw a line in the sand. It’s time to say that, under no circumstances, should the President of the United States be calling for his political opposition to be hanged,” Murphy said.
“We are at a very dangerous moment. The president is engaged in the wholesale incitement, endorsement and rationalization of political violence in this country.”
Murphy was referring to President Donald Trump’s call to arrest and put on trial — with the threat of death — a group of Democratic members of Congress who posted a video on social media reminding U.S. military troops that they can and should refuse illegal orders. The Uniform Code of Military Justice obligates uniformed service members to refuse orders that violate the Constitution or the law.
The six Democrats, all of whom have military or intelligence experience, take turns reading a message to members of the military.
“Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad but from right here at home,” they say in the video. “Our laws are clear. You can refuse illegal orders. You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution.”
The video never mentions Trump or any specific orders.
But Trump’s response on Truth Social was fierce: “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.”
Trump reposted a post that said, “HANG THEM GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD.”
But Friday he clarified the comments, saying he was “not threatening death” against the Democratic lawmakers but that “they’re in serious trouble.”
On X, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., led the call for rejection of political violence.
“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,” Schumer said.
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, a Greenwich Democrat representing Connecticut’s 4th Congressional District, also called out Republicans, saying their unflagging allegiance to Trump is cowardly.
“Congressional Republicans pledge allegiance to their saint and dictator Donald Trump above all else — including when he incites violence against Democratic members of Congress who accurately stated the law in a video. It’s as reprehensible as it is cowardly,” Himes said.
Connecticut’s state senate leaders, Senate President Martin Looney, D-New Haven, and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk, issued their own statement Friday condemning Trump’s comments.
“President Donald Trump’s comments are dangerous, violent, and unhinged. At a time when our nation desperately needs stability and unity, he continues to glorify violence and unfathomably threaten the lives of elected representatives,” the Democratic leaders said.
“Connecticut and our country will not be intimidated by his threats. We will continue focusing on affordability, strengthening our democracy, and defending the fundamental freedoms that Trump so casually undermines. We hope Connecticut Republicans will defend everything that America represents and denounce these dangerous statements.”
State Republican leaders offered varied remarks.
House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford targeted Murphy: “I’m waiting for someone in Congress to de-escalate the caustic rhetoric that’s pervasive in national politics today. Senator Murphy’s remarks don’t do that.
“Coming on the heels of that contrived commercial from six Democrats, his comments looked like step two of a coordinated strategy: antagonize the President, provoke a reaction, then pounce. The senator’s gratuitous profanity certainly violates the principle of ‘be the change you want to see.’ He should do better,” Candelora said.
Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, a Brookfield Republican who was himself a target of political threats called for taming rhetoric, a theme repeated after the murder of conservative figure Charlie Kirk.
“Everyone — all sides, all parties and all people — must stop the over-the-top rhetoric,” Harding said. “We have unfortunately seen the deadly results of political violence, and I’ve seen some Democrats having a difficult time condemning it. It shouldn’t be a big ask. We all need to be more mindful of what is said and how it is said.”