Decorum in Question: Rep. Al Green Ousted from House Chamber During Trump’s Speech

During President Trump’s address to Congress, Democratic Representative Al Green was forcibly removed from the chamber after disrupting the speech with protests against proposed Medicaid cuts, marking an unprecedented breach of congressional decorum.

Key Insights

Rep. Al Green was ejected from President Trump’s address after protesting the president’s claim of having a mandate to cut Medicaid, which serves 80 million Americans.
House Speaker Mike Johnson officially ordered Green’s removal and suggested he could face censure for his actions.
Republicans chanted “USA! USA!” to drown out Green’s protests, while Rep. Nancy Mace shouted for him to “sit down.”
The incident highlighted growing partisan tensions, with Democrats using signs and wearing pink clothing as symbols of protest during the address.

Unprecedented Disruption in Presidential Address

In a rare display of congressional discord, Texas Democratic Representative Al Green was escorted from the House chamber during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress. The dramatic scene unfolded at the beginning of Trump’s speech when Green loudly protested claims about the administration’s mandate regarding Medicaid. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson quickly moved to restore order, first issuing warnings before ultimately directing the Sergeant at Arms to remove Green from the premises.

The protest erupted when Green shouted, “You don’t have a mandate,” as President Trump began discussing his administration’s plans. Republican members promptly drowned out Green’s objections with chants of “USA! USA!” while South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace reportedly shouted for Green to “sit your a** down.” Despite multiple warnings from Speaker Johnson to maintain decorum, Green continued his protest, leaving Johnson with little choice but to take decisive action to restore order.

Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat, was forcibly removed from President Trump’s joint address to Congress on March 4, 2025, after disrupting the speech.

Green continued to shout objections, including “You have no mandate!” and protests against potential Medicaid cuts,… pic.twitter.com/VAicmY2nWA

— ✨Twiggy McStumpwizzle✨☀️ (@TwiggyMcStmpwzl) March 5, 2025

Speaker Johnson’s Response to the Disruption

Following the removal of Representative Green, Speaker Johnson emphasized the importance of maintaining proper protocol during presidential addresses. Johnson described Green’s actions as making “history in a terrible way” and suggested the congressman could face censure for his behavior. The Speaker made it clear that such disruptions would not be tolerated within the chamber, regardless of political affiliations.

“If they want to make a 77-year-old heckling congressman the face of their resistance, if that’s the Democrat Party, so be it. But we will not tolerate it on the House floor.” – Mike Johnson

Johnson issued clear warnings before taking action, stating: “Members are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the house and to cease any further disruptions.” When Green continued his protest, Johnson followed through on his warning: “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. Remove this gentleman from the chamber.”

This guy, Jasmine Crocket, and that one lateefah individual are perfect examples of why blacks should not be in government. Decorum does not exist for them, so they cause disruptions wherever they go. Separation is the only solution. https://t.co/zVd6sXNcv1

— A.N (@ahn6618) March 5, 2025

Green’s Medicaid Concerns and History of Standing Alone

Representative Green later clarified that his protests were specifically focused on potential changes to Medicaid. “The president was saying he had a mandate, and I was making it clear that he has no mandate to cut Medicaid,” Green explained after his removal. Green has expressed concerns about Republican budget proposals that could significantly impact Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security – programs that many of his constituents rely upon heavily.

This is not the first time Green has taken a solitary stand against President Trump. The Texas representative has a history of acting independently within Congress, having previously introduced articles of impeachment against Trump in both 2017 and 2019. According to reports, Green is currently working on new articles of impeachment, maintaining his position that the president is unfit for office. This latest incident further cements his reputation as someone willing to stand alone on principle, even at the risk of formal censure.

Broader Democratic Protests During the Address

While Green’s vocal protest drew the most attention, other Democratic lawmakers found less disruptive ways to express opposition during the president’s speech. Many Democrats wore pink clothing as a symbol of unity and solidarity. Others displayed circular black signs with bold white lettering bearing messages such as “Protect Veterans,” “Save Medicaid,” and “Musk Steals” during the president’s remarks.

The incident highlights the intense partisan divide that continues to characterize American politics. With Green now potentially facing censure and working on new impeachment articles, the episode demonstrates the challenges of maintaining traditional congressional decorum during highly charged political moments. As the aftermath unfolds, both Republicans and Democrats will likely use the incident to rally their respective bases, further entrenching partisan positions ahead of upcoming legislative battles.