Rep. Al Green, Texas Democrat, was removed from the House chamber just minutes into President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night.
Mr. Green was removed by the House Sergeant at Arms after he repeatedly interrupted Mr. Trump’s speech, ignoring warnings from House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Mr. Green, who last month announced his intent to file articles of impeachment against the president, stood and shook his gilded cane at Mr. Trump, and declared, “You have no mandate.”
His disruption came in response to Mr. Trump’s proclamation that he had a mandate from voters nationwide to carry out his agenda after scoring a dominant victory against former Vice President Kamala Harris in November.
Republicans on the opposite side of the chamber attempted to drown him out with chants of “U.S.A.” while Mr. Johnson demanded that the Democratic lawmaker stop. When he did not, the speaker ordered the sergeant at arms to escort Mr. Green out of the chamber.
Mr. Green told reporters shortly after being escorted from the floor that his remarks were in protest of proposed cuts to Medicaid.
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Mr. Trump and House Republican leadership have vowed that Medicaid would not be on the chopping block, but the House GOP’s recently passed budget resolution includes instructions to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees the program, to find at least $880 billion in savings.
Lawmakers on the panel believe the only way to hit that benchmark is to look for changes to the healthcare program.
“It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up” to Mr. Trump, the lawmaker said.
Mr. Green was unsure whether he would face any kind of formal punishment for his protest.
Other Democrats carried out much quieter forms of protest, with many dressed in pink, black or blue and yellow to signify their support for Ukraine.
While Mr. Trump and congressional Republican leaders slowly moved down the center aisle as they entered the House chamber ahead of his speech, Rep. Melanie Stansbury, New Mexico Democrat, held a sign that read “This is not normal,” which was quickly snatched and thrown away by Rep. Lance Gooden, Texas Republican.
Once his speech began, nearly two dozen House Democrats flashed double-sided black signs with a variety of messages, including “Musk Steals,” “Save Medicaid” and “Protect Veterans.”
Later on, a handful of House Democrats removed their overcoats and jackets to reveal black t-shirts with the word “resist” on the back. Shortly after, several Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Jasmine Crockett of Texas and Maxwell Frost of Florida, left the chamber.
