Representative Al Green Protests Trump’s Speech, Gets Ejected
Written by djfrosty on March 5, 2025
Source: Tierney L. Cross / Getty
Texas Representative Al Green made a powerful protest during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address until being ejected.
On Tuesday (March 4), President Donald Trump began the first State of the Union address of his second term in office. The tense air in the chambers grew as Democratic Representative Al Green stood up just two minutes in and began to shout at Trump, pointing his cane. “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” he yelled. Republican congresspeople began to chant “U-S-A! U-S-A!” and clapped while yelling at Green to sit down. House of Representatives Majority Speaker Mike Johnson warned Green to sit down or be removed from the chambers, stating that members of Congress “are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the house and to cease any further disruptions.” When Green refused to sit, Vice President JD Vance made a “get out” motion with his thumb.
“Finding that members continue to engage in willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the chair now directs the Sergeant-at-arms to restore order,” Johnson read from a sheet of paper, making the ejection official. “Remove this gentleman from the chamber!” Green was then led out as Republicans applauded. Outside, the 77-year-old Green spoke to reporters from C-SPAN. “I’ll accept the punishment. It’s worth it to let people know that there’s some of us who are going to stand up against this president’s desire to cut Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security,” he said.
https://x.com/cspan/status/1897117558500700644
Green plans to introduce articles of impeachment against President Trump over his comments about acquiring the Gaza Strip – the Houston-based politician initiated three unsuccessful attempts to impeach Trump during his first term. His protest was a contrast to reports that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other Democratic congressional leaders to attend and not cause any disruptions. Many who attended held up signs that read “Save Medicaid” and “Musk Steals.” referring to tech billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts with DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency).
The protest visibly rattled Trump, as other Democratic congress members walked out at various points during his speech, which included fellow Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett, and Florida Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost who was spotted wearing a black t-shirt with a message on the back that read, “No Kings Live Here.” Other Democratic lawmakers such as New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez chose not to attend the State of the Union address.