The president addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time since his inauguration on Tuesday, March 4

President Trump’s Address Interrupted by Rep. Al Green’s Protest

On Tuesday, March 4, President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress for the first time since his inauguration. However, at the very beginning of his speech, Texas Congressman Al Green (D-TX) disrupted the proceedings by shouting in protest at the President.

Green’s Protest and Removal

As Trump began his speech, Rep. Green waved his cane and shouted, “No mandate!” in defiance of the President. The disruption led Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to intervene, instructing Green to take his seat. Johnson repeated his command twice, but Green refused to comply. As a result, Johnson declared, “Members continue to engage in willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum. The Chair now directs the sergeant at arms to restore order.”

The sergeant at arms then proceeded to escort Green, 77, out of the chamber, prompting cheers from Republican lawmakers.

Green’s Explanation and Stance

Following his removal, Rep. Green spoke to reporters about the reasoning behind his actions. “I was making it clear to the President that he has no mandate to cut Medicaid,” he stated. “I have people who are very fearful. These are poor people. And they have only Medicaid in their lives when it comes to their health care.”

Green expressed his concerns regarding Trump’s budget proposal, which includes deep cuts to Medicaid. “He needs to save Medicaid and protect it. We need to raise the cap on Social Security,” Green emphasized, referring to his district, which includes parts of Houston and Fort Bend County.

The congressman also declared his willingness to accept any punishment resulting from his actions, stating, “I didn’t say to anyone, ‘Don’t punish me.’ I said, ‘I’ll accept the punishment.'” He reiterated that his protest was “worth it” to bring attention to the potential Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security cuts. Furthermore, Green justified his public demonstration by arguing that Trump is “a person who has consistently used incivility against civility.”

Historical Context of Congressional Disruptions

Interruptions during presidential addresses to Congress have become more frequent in recent years. One of the most infamous instances occurred in 2009, when then-President Barack Obama was interrupted by Republican Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, who shouted, “You lie!” during a discussion of the Affordable Care Act. Wilson’s outburst was later condemned by Congress as “disrespectful, uncivil, unacceptable, and contemptible.”

Similarly, President Joe Biden faced multiple interruptions during his State of the Union addresses. In 2022, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) heckled Biden as he spoke about his late son, Beau Biden, and the health effects of chemical warfare on veterans. The following year, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and other Republicans repeatedly interrupted Biden, calling him a “liar” over discussions of Social Security and Medicare.

During Biden’s 2024 State of the Union, Greene once again disrupted the speech, this time shouting, “Say her name!” in reference to Laken Riley, a young woman killed by an undocumented migrant. Biden responded by mentioning Riley’s name and holding up a pin given to him by Greene.

Political Polarization and Public Perception

Disruptions during key political addresses have become a norm in the modern era, reflecting the increasing political divide in the country. Even prominent Democrats have engaged in acts of protest. In 2020, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tore up a copy of Trump’s State of the Union speech in a widely publicized act of defiance. According to biographer Susan Page, Pelosi later justified her actions by stating that Trump was “shredding the truth,” so she chose to shred his speech.

Rep. Al Green’s protest against Trump’s policy proposals is just the latest example of the growing tensions on Capitol Hill. As political discourse becomes more contentious, public reaction to such demonstrations remains deeply divided, mirroring the broader ideological struggle shaping the nation’s future.