Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) heckled President Trump early in his speech, leading to Green’s removal from the House chamber where the president was addressing a joint session of Congress. Trump sought to continue his address without answering Green, but the Democratic congressman did not sit down.
Several other Democrats stood up and exited the chamber during President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, protesting his administration’s actions after six weeks in office. The first group of Democrats to walk out included Reps. Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Maxwell Frost (Fla.), Melanie Stansbury (New Mexico), LaMonica McIver (N.J.) and Lateefah Simon (Calif). A few removed their outer business wear to reveal black T-shirts with messages to the president on their backs. Florida Rep Maxwell Frost’s shirt said, “No Kings live here,” while others read, “RESIST,” in bold white letters.
Congressman George Latimer, who represents NY-16, tells Axios he felt the disruptions were “inappropriate,” telling Axios, “When a president — my president, your president — is speaking, we don’t interrupt, we don’t pull those stunts.”
As the speech continued for more than an hour, Democrats continued to pour out, including Reps. Mark Pocan (Wisc.), Lloyd Doggett (Texas), Judy Chu (Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Veronica Escobar (Texas), Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Jamie Raskin (Md.) and Jared Huffman (Calif.).
Ten Democrats joined with House Republicans on Thursday to censure Rep. Al Green for his protest during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress this week — a formal condemnation of the Texas Democrat’s actions.
