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Washington, D.C. — Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas was forcibly removed from the House chamber on Tuesday night after interrupting President Donald Trump's address to Congress. Green vocally protested the President’s claims of having a mandate to cut key social programs, including Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security.
As Trump began his speech, Green stood up, waved his cane, and shouted, "No mandate!" before being ordered to sit down by House Speaker Mike Johnson. When Green refused to comply, the Speaker directed the Sergeant at Arms to escort him out of the chamber.
A Protest Against Social Cuts
Image: Rep. Al Green addressing the press after his removal from Congress. (Source: Reuters)
Green’s interruption comes amid fierce debates over federal spending and proposed cuts to social programs. Republicans have been pushing for a new spending bill that would significantly reduce funding for Medicaid in order to finance Trump’s proposed tax cuts.
In response, House Democrats staged protests during the speech, with some holding signs that read "Save Medicaid" and "No King!". Green, a longtime critic of Trump, took the protest a step further with his vocal opposition.
After his removal, Green addressed reporters outside the chamber, stating:
"It’s worth it to let people know that there are some of us who are going to stand up against this President’s desire to cut Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security."
He also announced plans to introduce new articles of impeachment against President Trump, citing the administration's policies as harmful to low-income and elderly Americans.
A History of Disruptions in Presidential Addresses
Presidential addresses have long been moments of high political theater, offering both a platform for policy announcements and a reflection of the nation’s political climate. But in recent years, these speeches have increasingly become battlegrounds for partisan outbursts, where lawmakers use the moment to make public displays of opposition.
The removal of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from the House floor during a presidential address is just the latest in a history of disruptions that highlight the deepening polarization in Congress.
It’s all good when I do it, but the moment you try, I’m calling the cops
One of the most infamous and shocking moments in modern political history occurred on September 9, 2009, when Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina interrupted President Barack Obama during a joint session of Congress on healthcare reform.
As Obama sought to dispel concerns over whether the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would provide coverage for undocumented immigrants, Wilson abruptly shouted: "You lie!" The outburst stunned the chamber, breaking long-held traditions of congressional decorum. Gasps could be heard throughout the room, and the moment instantly became one of the most disrespectful challenges to a sitting president during a formal address.
Wilson’s outburst drew swift condemnation from both Democrats and Republicans, with lawmakers denouncing the unprecedented breach of respect. Many viewed it as a sign of the increasing polarization in American politics.
Within hours, Wilson faced immense pressure to apologize, and he eventually issued a formal apology to the White House. However, he remained defiant in his opposition to Obama’s healthcare plan, later stating that his outburst reflected his belief that the administration was being dishonest about the scope of the ACA.
Though Wilson apologized, the damage was done. His words became a rallying cry for conservative opposition to the ACA. Right-wing activists and media personalities seized on the moment, using it as a symbol of their broader criticism of government-sponsored healthcare.
The incident also energized the Tea Party movement, which was gaining traction as a hardline conservative faction opposed to what it saw as federal overreach. Many conservative groups defended Wilson, praising his defiance and using his words in anti-Obamacare protests and political ads.
In the aftermath, Wilson faced censure from the House of Representatives, with Democrats passing a resolution of disapproval condemning his actions. However, back home in South Carolina, Wilson’s outburst boosted his fundraising and political profile, helping him win re-election in 2010.
More broadly, the incident foreshadowed the escalating hostility in American politics, where public displays of disrespect became more normalized in partisan battles. It also highlighted the deep racial and ideological divides that shaped opposition to President Obama’s policies.
Even today, "You lie!" remains one of the most infamous heckles in U.S. political history—a defining moment in the fierce battle over healthcare reform and a symbol of the increasing breakdown of civility in American politics.
By the time President Joe Biden delivered his 2023 State of the Union address, political heckling had become less of a rare outburst and more of a predictable spectacle. What was once considered an unacceptable breach of decorum in Congress had now become a routine display of partisan aggression, particularly from the far-right wing of the Republican Party.
During Biden’s speech, several Republican lawmakers openly heckled, jeered, and interrupted as he addressed key national issues. The atmosphere inside the chamber felt more like a campaign rally than a formal address, as GOP members shouted over the President in an attempt to push their own narratives.
Here’s where the heckling was the loudest:
One of the most contentious moments of the night came when Biden accused some Republicans of wanting to cut Social Security and Medicare.
His exact words:
"Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I’m not saying it’s a majority."
The response? Immediate outrage.
Many Republican lawmakers erupted into loud boos and shouted in protest, aggressively shaking their heads. Some screamed “Liar!”, trying to discredit Biden’s statement in real time.
Biden, unphased, doubled down. He responded by challenging the Republicans in the room, saying if they were against cuts to Social Security and Medicare, they should publicly commit to protecting them. The moment turned into a public showdown, where Biden—rather than backing down—appeared to bait Republicans into agreeing not to touch these programs, forcing them into an uncomfortable position.
Another flashpoint of Republican heckling came when Biden addressed economic recovery and inflation, which had been a major point of attack for the GOP.
Biden claimed that his administration’s policies had helped bring inflation under control.
Republicans scoffed, with several loudly interrupting and dismissing his claims.
Some lawmakers shouted statistics contradicting Biden’s remarks, creating chaos inside the chamber.
Rather than remaining silent, Biden engaged with the hecklers, responding with off-the-cuff remarks that showed he was willing to spar with his critics in real time.
Biden’s discussion of border security and immigration policy drew some of the most intense Republican outrage of the night.
When Biden mentioned his administration’s handling of the southern border, GOP members erupted in protest.
Several lawmakers stood up and yelled accusations about his failure to stop illegal immigration.
The tension in the room reached a boiling point, making it one of the most hostile exchanges of the entire night.
Biden fired back, claiming that Republicans had blocked his proposals for border security reforms. This only infuriated them more, leading to another round of boos and shouts.
Among all the Republican lawmakers who heckled Biden that night, one stood out the most—Marjorie Taylor Greene.
She repeatedly yelled from the floor, interrupting the speech with sarcastic comments and outright insults.
At one point, she waved her arms and gestured aggressively, demanding Biden acknowledge her version of the facts.
She later bragged that she had “fact-checked the President in real time,” celebrating her outbursts as a defiant act of resistance against Biden’s administration.
Her actions set a new precedent—Republican lawmakers no longer viewed heckling as an embarrassing lapse in judgment but rather as a political strategy to dominate headlines.
The 2023 State of the Union wasn’t just about policy—it was about power.
By heckling Biden in real time, Republicans ensured that the speech wasn’t just about his message—it became a spectacle. Conservative media praised the interruptions, framing them as necessary pushback against what they viewed as Democratic lies.
On the other side, Democrats and mainstream media saw it as further proof that Republicans had abandoned all sense of decorum and professionalism in favor of Trump-style political theater.
The growing frequency and intensity of these interruptions reflects a broader shift in American politics—where congressional decorum is often sacrificed for viral moments and political grandstanding.
As Congress remains deeply divided on federal spending, entitlement programs, and other key issues, public protests during presidential addresses have become more than just disruptions—they are symbolic of the deepening rift between Democrats and Republicans.
With both parties weaponizing these moments for political gain, it’s likely that such disruptions will only increase in frequency in the years ahead. The question remains: Has congressional decorum permanently eroded, or can bipartisanship still be salvaged?
A Political Battle Over Decorum
Following Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s removal from the House floor during the presidential address, House Republicans are now debating possible disciplinary actions. The controversy has reignited tensions within the GOP, with some members demanding strict consequences while others argue that punishing Greene would alienate the party’s base.
Some moderate Republicans have voiced their frustration with Greene’s repeated disruptions and inflammatory rhetoric, arguing that her behavior is damaging the party’s credibility as it tries to maintain a governing majority. A formal censure is one option, though some conservatives worry that such a move could further divide the GOP.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has publicly condemned Greene’s behavior, calling her actions a "disgraceful disruption" that undermined the importance of the presidential address. Speaking to reporters, he stated:
"This is a serious moment in our country, and we need to conduct ourselves with decorum. Representative Greene failed to do so."
His comments indicate that Republican leadership is at least considering a response, though Johnson faces immense pressure from pro-Trump factions of the party to avoid punishing one of their strongest allies.
Greene remains a controversial but influential figure within the Republican Party, particularly among the MAGA-aligned wing that remains loyal to former President Donald Trump. Some far-right conservatives have rushed to her defense, claiming that any disciplinary action would be a betrayal of the movement.
Meanwhile, more traditional conservatives and Republicans in swing districts see Greene’s antics as a political liability that could hurt the party in 2026. With Democrats looking to capitalize on Republican infighting, some GOP strategists worry that failing to rein in Greene could push moderate voters away in future elections.
Interestingly, some Democratic leaders have defended Greene’s outburst, though likely for political, rather than ideological, reasons. Many see her as a gift to the Democratic Party—a figure who helps them paint the GOP as chaotic and extreme ahead of the next election cycle.
By defending Greene’s right to protest, Democrats are forcing Republicans into an uncomfortable position:
Punishing her could alienate the MAGA base.
Letting her go unpunished reinforces the perception of GOP dysfunction.
It’s a lose-lose situation for Republican leadership, and Democrats know it.
If Republicans proceed with a censure vote, Greene could face:
A formal condemnation from the House, marking her behavior as inappropriate for congressional proceedings.
Temporary suspension from committee assignments, limiting her legislative influence.
Further isolation from Republican leadership, especially among moderates looking to distance the party from her extremism.
However, if Republicans back down, Greene will likely use the moment to rally her base, portraying herself as a victim of the establishment.
In either case, the controversy is far from over—and its outcome could have lasting implications for both Greene’s political future and the Republican Party’s internal divisions heading into 2026.
Green’s protest has sparked mixed reactions online. Some have praised him for standing up against Trump’s policies, while others have criticized his actions as disrespectful to the democratic process.
As debates over federal spending and healthcare funding continue, Green’s removal signals escalating tensions in Washington.
🔹 What do you think? Should lawmakers protest during speeches, or should there be more respect for the process? Share your thoughts in the comments.
📌 Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Democratic Rep. Al Green Removed After Disrupting Trump's Speech
Sources
Rep. Al Green shouts down Trump and may face censure by the House for the outburst
Democrats protest Trump's speech to Congress with disruption, exits and solemn signs
Houston Congressman Al Green removed from House chamber during President Trump's address to Congress
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