House Censures Rep. Al Green for Trump Speech Disruption/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The House voted to censure Rep. Al Green (D-TX) on Thursday after he interrupted President Donald Trump’s address to Congress, challenging Trump’s claim of a strong electoral mandate. Green, removed from the chamber by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), stood by his actions, saying Trump lacks a mandate to cut Medicaid. The censure vote passed 224-198, with Democrats accusing Republicans of hypocrisy, citing past GOP outbursts during Biden’s presidency.
House Votes to Censure Al Green for Disrupting Trump’s Speech
Key Points at a Glance
- Green’s Outburst: Interrupted Trump’s speech, shouting “You have no mandate!”
- Republican Response: House voted 224-198 to censure Green for his actions.
- Green Stands Firm: Says he was protesting Medicaid cuts impacting his constituents.
- Democratic Backlash: Accuses Republicans of double standards, citing past GOP interruptions of Biden.
- Pelosi’s Take: Former House Speaker recalls ripping up Trump’s speech in 2020.
House Censures Rep. Al Green for Disrupting Trump’s Speech
Al Green Removed from Chamber for Protest
The House of Representatives voted Thursday to formally censure Rep. Al Green (D-TX) for his outburst during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress.
Green was removed from the chamber Tuesday night after shouting at Trump, challenging his claim of a strong mandate following the November election.
“You have no mandate!” Green yelled, waving his cane as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) ordered him to sit down.
Green refused, leading Johnson to have him removed.
Republicans Move Swiftly to Censure Green
House Republicans quickly introduced a censure resolution—a rare and formal rebuke of a lawmaker’s conduct.
“This resolution is offered in all seriousness,” said Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), who sponsored the measure. “We must uphold proper decorum in this chamber.”
The vote passed 224-198 along party lines, marking another moment of deep division in Congress.
House Speaker Johnson tweeted before the vote:
“Rep. Al Green disgraced the institution of Congress and the constituents he serves. An expeditious vote of censure is an appropriate remedy.”
Green: “I Would Do It Again”
Despite the censure, Green remained defiant. Speaking on the House floor before the vote, he shook hands with Rep. Newhouse but made clear he had no regrets.
“Friends, I would do it again,” Green declared.
Green said he was protesting Trump’s claim of a governing mandate, arguing the president had no authority to cut Medicaid, a program vital to many of his constituents.
“This is a matter of principle. This is a matter of conscience,” Green said. “There are people suffering in this country because they don’t have health care.”
Democrats Accuse Republicans of Hypocrisy
Many House Democrats denounced the censure as a double standard, pointing out past Republican interruptions of President Joe Biden.
“Where were my Republican colleagues when their members repeatedly shouted at Biden?” asked Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA). “Go back and look at the tapes—there was silence from the other side.”
During Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address, some Republicans shouted “Say her name!” when Biden mentioned Laken Riley, a nursing student killed by an undocumented migrant. No Republican faced censure for those disruptions.
“This isn’t about decorum. It’s about silencing opposition,” said Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), who held up a sign reading “False” during Trump’s speech.
A History of Political Outbursts in Congress
Disruptions during presidential addresses are not new.
- In 2009, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) shouted “You lie!” at President Barack Obama during a health care speech.
- In 2020, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) ripped up Trump’s speech after his address.
- In 2023, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and other Republicans shouted at Biden multiple times.
Pelosi, reflecting on the censure vote, said:
“Everybody has their own way of expressing themselves. We should keep our focus on Trump’s speech.”
What’s Next?
The censure does not remove Green from office but formally reprimands him. While symbolic, it highlights deepening partisan tensions as Trump continues to reshape Washington.
“On issues of conscience, it is better to stand alone than not stand at all,” Green said in his closing remarks.
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