Rep. Al Green Removed After Disrupting Trump's Congressional Address

Rep. Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, was escorted out of the House chamber on Tuesday night after causing a disruption during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress.

Green, who has consistently advocated for Trump’s impeachment since his previous term, stood up and waved his cane at the president during the beginning of the speech. This sparked a mixed reaction of cheers and boos from other lawmakers, leading to further chaos on the floor and a pause in Trump’s address. To restore order, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, reminded everyone of the House’s decorum rules.

“Members are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the House and to cease any further disruptions,” Johnson stated, clearly targeting Green. Despite Johnson’s warning, Green refused to sit down, prompting Johnson to call the sergeant at arms to escort him out.

“Goodbye,” chanted Republicans as Green was led away. Outside, Green expressed to NBC News his stance as a “person of conscience,” criticizing Trump’s potential Medicaid cuts, explaining that such actions should not continue. “This whole budget that he has is one that is going to cause Medicaid to be cut, and when he said he had a mandate, it triggered something. It really did. Because he doesn’t have a mandate, and he doesn’t have a mandate to cut healthcare from poor people,” Green stated.

The chamber atmosphere was charged with various forms of protest. Members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus dressed in pink to oppose Trump’s policies on women and families, while others wore blue and yellow ties to show support for Ukraine. This show of solidarity came days after Trump and Vice President JD Vance had an unexpectedly tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.

Some Democratic legislators also wore stickers accusing Elon Musk of “stealing Social Security,” responding to his government’s efficiency review which scrutinizes Social Security finances. Musk has criticized the program, calling it a “Ponzi scheme.”

Additionally, some Democrats held black paddles with messages like “SAVE MEDICAID,” “PROTECT VETERANS,” and “MUSK STEALS.” Rep. Rashida Tlaib from Michigan used a whiteboard to display, “THAT’S A LIE.” Meanwhile, several House Democrats revealed black shirts with slogans like “Resist” and “No more kings” displayed on the back.

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California shared on social media that she walked out of the speech, condemning the president’s comments as “shameful.” “There’s only so much bulls— a person can tolerate,” she noted.

Despite these protest actions, Democratic leaders had advised their members during a private party meeting earlier in the day to maintain proper decorum in anticipation of Trump’s joint address, according to several House Democrats who participated in that meeting.