Some US Republican lawmakers have joined their Democratic colleagues in criticising President Donald Trump for labeling them as "treasonous" and "un-American" in response to the cold reception they gave him during his State of the Union address last week.
"Well, that borders on divisive," the second-most powerful Democrat in the Senate Dick Durbin told reporters in a purposefully understated tone.
Speaking at a manufacturing plant in Ohio on Monday, the Republican president said Democrats "would rather see Trump do badly than our country do well."
"They were like death and un-American," he said of Democrats who sat stone-faced, robed in black in solidarity with victims of sexual misconduct, as he heralded the economy's achievements in his address a week ago to a joint session of Congress.
"Somebody said 'treasonous.' I mean, eh. I guess, why not? Can we call that treason, why not?," he said.
Democrats weren't the only critics.
"Treason is not a punch line, Mr President. Applause is approval of an idea, not loyalty to one's country," said Senator Jeff Flake, a Republican who frequently reproaches Trump and his policies,. "Our Democratic colleagues love this country as much as we do. To suggest otherwise is simply unconscionable."
White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said the remarks on treason - an offense punishable by death - were offered as tongue-in-cheek.
"The president was obviously joking," he said in a statement.
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