Al Green escorted from House chamber after holding ‘Black people aren’t apes!’ sign during Trump speech
al green was escorted out of the House chamber early into President Trump’s State of the Union address after he lingered in the center aisle holding a sign that read “Black people aren’t apes!” and was forced from the room despite keeping the sign visible.
Al Green ejected after silent protest in center aisle
The Texas Democrat was removed almost immediately, marking the second year in a row he has been forced out of the annual event. This year’s protest was silent but pointed: as the president began his address and other members sat down, Green remained in the center aisle brandishing the cardboard sign. The sign referenced a racist video depiction of Barack and Michelle Obama that the president had shared.
Tussle at the exit and chants from the floor
Multiple Republican representatives tried to grab at the sign or block it from camera view as Green was led toward the door. Representative Troy Nehls of Texas could be seen aggressively engaging with Green just before a staffer escorted the lawmaker out, and Senator Markwayne Mullin approached menacingly. As Green walked out, clutching his walking stick and the protest sign, some Republicans began chanting “USA! USA!”
Empty seat, cardboard name and a repeated removal
When Green’s seat remained empty, it was left with a small handwritten cardboard sign that said “Al Green. ” He had been ordered out last year by House speaker Mike Johnson after yelling responses during the speech; this year he was removed again for the silent demonstration.
Democrats sit solemnly while some walk out
Dozens of Democrats boycotted the address and several who remained in the chamber sat solemnly while Republican colleagues leapt to their feet to clap at the end of nearly every sentence uttered by the president. Several Democrats walked out early. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia posted on Bluesky that he “couldn’t sit through an hour of Trump’s lies” and left while the president was making claims about economic achievements. Representative Bill Foster of Illinois wrote on X that he had tallied “5 bald-faced lies” — the same as last year — before leaving, adding, “Less than one hour into his speech, I’m out. ”
Shouts from the Democratic flank: Tlaib and Omar
As the president spoke about immigration enforcement to a standing ovation from Republicans and urged funding for the Department of Homeland Security, Representative Rashida Tlaib, who wore a pin reading “release the files, ” yelled back about the killing of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis nurse shot to death by federal agents: “They saw the videos, Mr President. They saw the videos. ” Representative Ilhan Omar shouted, “You should be ashamed, ” and repeatedly yelled, “you have killed Americans. ”
Green’s reaction outside the chamber and his record of opposition
Outside the chamber, Green told reporters his removal was “of no consequence” and held his sign up for cameras to see. He said nothing would prevent him from doing what he believed to be righteous, adding, “You have to take a stand. I am just a person who has done it – but there are many others, I believe, who would. ” Green has been among the president’s top critics, was the first member of Congress to call for the president’s impeachment as early as 2017, represents a predominantly African American district and has long fought for civil rights.
The address continued in the chamber as Republicans applauded and some Democrats left early.
