Democratic Representative Al Green was removed from the House chamber during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress after staging a protest that briefly disrupted proceedings. The incident occurred as Trump walked past Green, who held up a sign reading, “Black people aren’t apes,” a message widely interpreted as a response to a controversial video previously shared and later deleted by Trump that depicted a racist caricature involving former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. As Green displayed the sign silently, Republican lawmaker Steve Scalise moved toward him and took the placard, after which security officials escorted Green out of the chamber.
The confrontation marked the second time Green had been removed from a congressional session during a presidential address after openly challenging Trump. Earlier in the event, tensions had already been high as political divisions between Democrats and Republicans became visible through protests, chants, and symbolic demonstrations inside the chamber. The session, held in Washington, DC, reflected the deeply polarised political climate, with lawmakers using both verbal and visual expressions to register opposition.
At the beginning of the speech, Green had interrupted proceedings by raising his cane and shouting, “You have no mandate,” directly addressing the president. Republican lawmakers immediately responded with chants of “USA, USA,” escalating the disruption. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson issued repeated warnings, urging members to maintain decorum and instructing Green to return to his seat. Despite these warnings, Green continued to repeat his protest, prompting the Speaker to order intervention.
Speaker Johnson formally directed the Sergeant at Arms to restore order after determining that the disruption constituted a continuing breach of chamber rules. As Green was escorted out, Republican members shouted phrases such as “get out” and “goodbye.” While being removed, Green continued voicing his objections, shouting that Trump had “no mandate to cut Medicaid.” After leaving the chamber, Green told reporters that he was preparing articles of impeachment against the president and described Trump as unfit for office, emphasising that his protest was part of broader opposition to the administration’s policies.
Throughout the address, several Democratic lawmakers staged quieter forms of protest by holding small signs bearing messages such as “False,” “save Medicaid,” “protect veterans,” and “Musk steals.” These signs were raised at various moments during Trump’s speech, particularly when the president highlighted achievements or policy initiatives. Some Democratic members also wore clothing displaying the word “Resist,” and a number of them later walked out of the chamber, further underscoring partisan divisions.
President Trump responded to the visible opposition during his speech by directly addressing Democratic lawmakers seated across from him. He remarked that despite delivering multiple speeches to Congress over the years, he believed nothing he could say or accomplish would earn their approval or applause. He added that even major achievements or breakthroughs, such as curing serious diseases or achieving historic economic success, would not change their reaction, highlighting the intense political tensions that defined the session.
