Image source, Reuters

While we wait for the White House briefing to begin, let's unpack another story that has gained momentum today in Washington.

President Donald Trump wrote on social media this morning: "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!". It is seemingly in reference to a video shared by some Democratic lawmakers.

Six Democratic lawmakers recently released a video on X, encouraging US military service members to "refuse illegal orders" and obey the Constitution.

The video does not identify which orders specifically, but claims that the Trump administration is "pitting our uniformed military" against American citizens, seemingly referring to Trump's deployment of the National Guard to US cities against the will of some local officials.

"Right now, the threats to our constitution aren't just coming from abroad, but from right here at home," two of the lawmakers say in the video.

Trump wrote two social media posts about the video, with one saying those involved were "traitors" and the message was "dangerous to our country". He said their "words cannot be allowed to stand".

Senior Pentagon officials arrived in Ukraine today to "discuss efforts to end the war" with Russia, the US military has said.

The team, led by US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, held talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko this morning. They are expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later in the day.

The US has been preparing a new proposed framework to end the war, the White House confirmed today.

It was reportedly drafted by President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev.

Reports of the plan emerged on Wednesday, the same day Ukrainian officials said at least 26 people had been killed in a Russian missile and drone attack on blocks of flats in Ukraine's western city of Ternopil.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt gave the following statement this morning on the proposed peace deal in Ukraine:

"President Trump has been clear since day one that he wants the war between Russia Ukraine to end, and he has grown frustrated with both sides for their refusal to commit to a peace agreement. Nevertheless, the President and his team never gives up, and the United States has been working on a detailed and acceptable plan for both sides to stop the killing and create a durable, lasting peace."

A senior US official also tells the BBC that Special Envoy Witkoff has been quietly working on this plan for a month, receiving input from both the Ukrainians and the Russians on what terms are acceptable to them to end the war.

The official adds that both sides will have to make concessions, not just Ukraine, and the president has been briefed on the plan and supports it.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

There's a new political battle brewing at the White House over Donald Trump's post accusing some Democrats of "seditious behaviour" - which he said was "punishable by death".

Trump's post was in reference to a video in which some Democratic lawmakers called on members of the US military and intelligence community to "refuse illegal orders".

Trump's post is already facing backlash from Democrats, several of whom said in a statement that it was "unhinged".

In that statement, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said they "unequivocally condemn Donald Trump's disgusting and dangerous death threats against members of Congress".

California Governor Gavin Newsom - one of Trump's most vocal detractors - described Trump's post as evidence that "this man is sick in the head".

Trump's post comes at a time in which many Americans are growing increasingly concerned about the prospect of political violence, particularly after the murder of Trump ally Charlie Kirk earlier this year.

More recently, Georgia Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene expressed concerns that there were threats to her safety after Trump publicly, and repeatedly, criticised her on social media.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House

Image source, Bernd Debusmann Jr/BBC News

It's been a relatively busy morning here at the White House, where the briefing room was already steadily filling up an hour and a half before Karoline Leavitt's is due to begin.

There's a lot for the White House to discuss today, and many of the initial questions are likely to focus on a proposed Ukraine peace plan which a US official told me earlier already has the support of Donald Trump.

Additionally, there's also the lingering question of the Epstein files, now that Trump has signed the bill ordering their release.

Lawmakers - from both sides of the political spectrum - have expressed concerns that Trump's desire to investigate ties between senior Democrats and Epstein may mean that portions of those files are withheld, or heavily redacted.

The briefings usually also include a steady stream of questions on various domestic policy issues.

Image source, Reuters

Hello and welcome to our live coverage from Washington DC, where White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt is due to hold a briefing shortly.

A developing story that's likely to come up is the situation in Ukraine. Senior Pentagon officials are in Kyiv today to "discuss efforts to end the war" with Russia.

Earlier today, a US official told the BBC that President Trump has been briefed on a new plan, which would require concessions from both Russia and Ukraine.

Something else Leavitt will almost certainly be asked about is Trump's social media posts from earlier today, one of which says: "seditious behavior, punishable by death". It's seemingly in reference to a group of Democratic lawmakers who have urged military service members to refuse unlawful orders.

House Democrats have strongly criticised the president's comments, describing it as "violent rhetoric".

And the release of the Epstein files is also expected to be discussed at the briefing, after Trump signed a bill that orders the justice department to release the files.

Stick with us as we bring you the twists and turns of what could be a dramatic briefing from the White House.