WASHINGTON: President Trump got barely two minutes into his speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night before Representative Al Green, Democrat of Texas, stood to protest, disrupting the proceedings in a display that ultimately got him thrown out of the House chamber.
As Trump extolled his own accomplishments during his first weeks in office and boasted about his electoral success in November, Green, 77, rose from his seat, shook his cane and began to shout. “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid!” yelled Green, who often creates headaches for Democrats by deviating from party orders.
Almost instantly, he was drowned out by chants from angry Republican colleagues: “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” they shouted and clapped, which gave way to shouts of “Sit down!” Twice, Speaker Mike Johnson interrupted the president’s address, tapped his gavel and warned Green that if he did not sit down, he would be removed from the chamber.
“Mr. Green, take your seat, sir,” Johnson said, as Green stood defiantly, refusing. Behind Trump, Vice President JD Vance made a gesture with his thumb indicating “throw him out,” as members jeered. Soon, Johnson read from a sheet of paper in front of him, making it official.
“Sit down!” retorted Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo. And two Trump loyalists, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Nancy Mace, R-S.C., stood up, pointed at and jeered the Democrat.
The sergeant at arms promptly removed Green from the chamber — a first during modern-day presidential addresses to Congress. “Nah nah nah nah, goodbye,” Republicans chanted as Green was escorted from the room.
Outside the chamber, Green told NBC News that as “a person of conscience,” he believes Trump “has done things that I think we cannot allow to 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 health care from poor people,” Green said. The chamber was filled with other signs of protest and pushback.
Members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus wore pink to protest Trump’s policies on women and families. Other Democrats wore blue and yellow ties in support of Ukraine, days after Trump and Vice President JD Vance tangled with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an unexpectedly hostile Oval Office meeting.
Also visible on some Democratic members: stickers accusing Elon Musk of “stealing Social Security.” Musk, a billionaire whose government efficiency initiative is scrutinizing Social Security finances, has called the program a “Ponzi scheme.” Some Democrats also held black paddles that read “SAVE MEDICAID,” “PROTECT VETERANS” and “MUSK STEALS.” Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., held a white board that read “THAT’S A LIE.”
Green is a member of Pakistan Caucus in Congress but has repeatedly called for keeping Pakistan as the most dependable US ally. In home state Texas, several prominent Pakistani-Americans have friendly terms with AI Green.