Congressman Al Green removed from chamber for interrupting Trump’s speech. BBC
The U.S. Congress has officially censured Texas Democrat Al Green after he was removed from the House chamber for interrupting President Donald Trump’s speech. Green shouted at Trump and waved his cane during the address, leading to a vote that resulted in 224 lawmakers supporting the censure, including ten Democrats who sided with Republicans.
Following the vote, Al Green was required to stand in the well of the House as the resolution was read aloud. Tensions quickly escalated, with Republicans and Democrats clashing in a heated exchange. Green and other Democrats responded by singing "We Shall Overcome," which irritated some Republican members. At one point, Republican Dan Meuser confronted Democrat Ayanna Pressley, claiming Green was in the wrong. Pressley fired back, pointing out that Republican lawmakers had also caused disruptions in past speeches.
House Speaker Mike Johnson called it a "sad day" for Congress but insisted it was necessary to "maintain the dignity" of the institution. He noted that Green was the first member ever removed in the middle of a presidential address. Meanwhile, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed the censure as a political distraction, arguing that Republicans were avoiding pressing issues like the economy.
Despite the censure, Al Green remained defiant. He later posted on social media, "I accept the consequences of my actions, but I refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice." He also revealed plans to file impeachment articles against Trump, citing the president’s "incivility," particularly his use of the nickname "Pocahontas" for Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren.
Green’s impeachment effort is unlikely to succeed, as both the House and Senate are controlled by Republicans. Still, he has a long history of calling for Trump’s removal from office, having done so during the former president’s first term as well.
Some Democrats defended Green’s actions as a legitimate protest, arguing that his removal was unnecessary. However, Republican congressman Dan Newhouse, who introduced the censure resolution, insisted that Congress must uphold order. "We cannot ignore the wilful disruption intended to stop a proceeding," he said.
Green’s outburst came just minutes into Trump’s speech when he stood up and shouted, "Mr. President, you don’t have a mandate!" Johnson, who was presiding over the session, ordered him to sit down, but Green refused, leading to his removal from the chamber.
Censures in Congress are rare but have become more common in recent years. The punishment does not remove a lawmaker from office but serves as a formal expression of disapproval. In 2023, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was censured for remarks about the Israel-Gaza conflict, and former Congressman Jamaal Bowman faced censure for triggering a false fire alarm.
Since the founding of the United States, only 28 House members have been censured.
