Rep. Al Green Escorted Out of State of the Union — What His Sign Said and Why

One of the most dramatic moments of Tuesday night's State of the Union address had nothing to do with President Trump's speech. Texas Democratic Congressman Al Green was removed from the House chamber just minutes into Trump's address after holding up a protest sign — the second consecutive year he has been ejected during a Trump speech to Congress.

What Did Al Green's Sign Say at the State of the Union?

Rep. Al Green was escorted out of the House chamber just minutes into President Donald Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday night for holding a sign reading "Black people aren't apes!"

The sign was a direct and deliberate message aimed at the president himself. Green, the 78-year-old Texas Democrat, told CNN shortly after he was escorted out: "I wanted the president to see it, and he saw it, and I told him, Black people are not apes, and for him to do what he did was racist, and he knows it. But sometimes we have to let him know in the public that we know it."

Why Did Al Green Hold the Sign? The Obama Video Explained

The sign was in direct response to a video clip shared on Truth Social by Trump showing the faces of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama superimposed over the bodies of apes, as "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" plays in the background. Trump's post in early February immediately generated pushback from across the political spectrum, with multiple lawmakers calling it racist and demanding its removal from Truth Social.

Obama himself addressed the video in a February 14 interview, saying: "The majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling. There's this sort of clown show that's happening in social media and on television, and what is true is that there doesn't seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office."

Physical Confrontations as Al Green Was Removed

As Trump entered the chamber, Green held up the sign reading "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES!" and remained standing as Trump began his speech. Numerous Republican lawmakers walked over to Green to confront him verbally. Sen. Markwayne Mullin attempted to snatch the sign out of his hand. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise also attempted to pull the sign down. Mullin and Sen. Roger Marshall then tried to block Trump's view of Green, who was eventually escorted out by a House Sergeant at Arms staffer.

As he was leaving, Green stopped in the chamber and held his sign directly at Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas. Nehls tried vigorously to snatch the sign out of his hand. Republican lawmakers chanted "USA, USA" as Green was removed from the floor.

Al Green's History of Being Removed From Trump Speeches

Green, who was censured earlier this year for disrupting Trump's last joint address to Congress, was walked out of the chamber by the Sergeant at Arms. Green had been censured in March by Congress for disrupting Trump's previous address, with 10 Democrats joining all House Republicans in supporting the measure. He was the 28th House member ever to be censured.

Green has been a frequent critic of Trump and has filed articles of impeachment against the president multiple times — most recently in June, after the U.S. launched military strikes on Iran without seeking authorization from Congress.

Al Green Facing a Tough Primary Battle Back Home

The timing of Green's dramatic protest comes at a particularly vulnerable moment in his political career. The 78-year-old Green is seeking reelection in the newly redrawn 18th Congressional District after Texas Republicans undertook a rare mid-decade redistricting at the behest of Trump in an attempt to help the GOP win additional congressional seats. Green is facing Rep. Christian Menefee, 37, in a March 3 primary — a contest that represents one of the most competitive challenges of his career.

Green denied going against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' call for Democrats to practice "silent defiance" at the State of the Union, saying: "What I'm doing is making a point to the president."