In a clear display of the severe political division facing the United States, on Tuesday night, an unusual breach of protocol occurred when Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas stood up from his seat and yelled at Donald Trump, while the president was delivering a relentlessly partisan speech before Congress.
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Usually, when the President of the United States addresses senators and representatives, they employ a speech of unity and a more sober tone. However, as is already customary, this was not the path chosen by Trump, who chose to boast of his electoral victory, criticize Democrats for failing to recognize his achievements and demand loyalty throughout the federal government.
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What was Representative Al Green’s reaction against Trump?
In the opening minutes of Donald Trump’s partisan speech, Al Green stood up from his seat and, gesturing with a cane in the air, began to shout.
“Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the Sergeant at Arms to restore order to the joint session,” said the Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, after issuing a warning.
“Mr. Green, please take a seat,” insisted Johnson. “Take a seat, sir.”
And Green stood firm claiming that Trump “he has no mandate to cut Medicaid”.
In response, Johnson quickly stated that “finding that members continue to engage in willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the chair now directs the Sergeant at Arms to restore order, remove this gentleman from the chamber,” declared Johnson, as the Republicans erupted in applause.
Some Republicans also began to chant: “Na-na-na-na, hey, hey, hey, goodbye”.
Speaking with reporters after leaving the chamber, Green stated that Trump’s budget will include cuts to Medicaid. “The president said he had a mandate, and I was making it clear that the president does not have a mandate to cut Medicaid”, Green said.
Defending her decision to break decorum, Green asserted that “It is the best way to make someone understand that they are using their lack of civility against our civility”, and added that she is “willing to suffer any punishment.” She also announced that she is working on articles of impeachment against Trump.
In the previous administration, Joe Biden faced similar behavior on a couple of occasions from Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, and on none of those occasions did he request the far-right congresswoman to be removed from the room.
Who is Representative Al Green?
Al Green, 77 years old, has represented the 9th Congressional District of Texas since 2005, which includes parts of Houston and surrounding areas. Before his career in Congress, he was a lawyer and a justice of the peace in Texas.
According to BBC, the representative is an active civil rights advocate. On the profile of his official page, it says he “has fought for those members of society whose voices are too often unheard.”
Additionally, Green is a strong critic of Donald Trump and introduced multiple resolutions for his impeachment during his first term.