Al Green Ejected from State of the Union After Holding 'Black people aren't apes!' Sign; Democrats Refuse to Stand

Texas congressman al green was escorted out of the House chamber almost immediately after he stood in the center aisle of the State of the Union holding a cardboard sign that read "Black people aren't apes!" — a protest linked to a prior incident in which the president shared a racist video depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama. His removal unfolded amid visible partisan divisions as many Democrats remained seated while Republicans cheered.

Al Green's protest and second ejection

Green lingered in the center aisle with the sign as the president began the address. Multiple Republican representatives attempted to grab the sign or block it from cameras while a staffer moved to escort Green from the chamber. Representative Troy Nehls, also from Texas, intervened aggressively as Green passed by, and Senator Markwayne Mullin approached in a menacing manner. Green walked out clutching his walking stick and protest sign, and exchanges with Republicans grew acrimonious; a few Republicans began chanting "USA! USA!" as he left.

Context: second year removed and a vacant seat

This marked the second consecutive year Green was removed from the annual address. Last year he was ordered out by the House speaker, Mike Johnson, after he yelled responses while the president spoke. After his removal this year, Green left his seat empty; staff or supporters placed a handwritten cardboard sign on the chair that said "Al Green. "

Democratic dissent in the chamber

Green was not the only Democrat to make a visible protest. Dozens of colleagues had boycotted the address, and several Democrats in the chamber remained seated in a solemn show of opposition while Republican members repeatedly rose to applaud much of the president's speech. Several Democrats walked out before the speech concluded.

Further reactions from Democratic lawmakers

A Senate Democrat from Virginia said he "couldn't sit through an hour of Trump's lies" and left while the president was highlighting economic achievements. A House Democrat from Illinois summarized his reaction by listing "5 bald-faced lies" and stated, "Less than one hour into his speech, I'm out. " Representative Rashida Tlaib, wearing a pin that read "release the files, " could be heard yelling about the killing of Alex Pretti, described in the chamber as a Minneapolis nurse shot to death by federal agents, shouting, "They saw the videos, Mr President, they saw the videos. " Representative Ilhan Omar shouted, "You should be ashamed, " and repeatedly accused the president of having "killed Americans. "

Al Green's stance and background noted during removal

Green has been a prominent critic of the president and was the first member of Congress to call for his impeachment as early as 2017. He represents a predominantly African American district and has a long record of advocacy on civil rights. After being escorted from the chamber this year, Green told reporters outside that his removal was of no consequence and that he intended to continue taking a stand he described as righteous; he also said that many others, he believed, would take similar stands.

What this moment signals

The scene in the chamber combined symbolic protest, physical confrontation, and a wider pattern of Democratic dissent: visible signs, walkouts, and direct admonitions at the president during the State of the Union. The ejection of a congressman for a second straight year, clashes over a protest sign tied to a recent racist depiction controversy, and the presence of shouted accusations and demands for transparency all underscore the sharply polarized tenor of the address.

Details in this account are drawn from the events as described in the chamber; some elements were carried out with visible confrontation and others as quiet protest. Unclear in the provided context: any disciplinary follow-up, official statements from House leadership beyond last year's ordering out, or subsequent developments after Green spoke to reporters immediately following his removal.