US lawmaker Al Green ejected from chamber for disrupting Trump’s congressional address
Representative Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, was removed from the House chamber on Tuesday night after interrupting President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress. Green shouted, “Mr. President, you don’t have a mandate!” in protest of proposed Medicaid cuts. His outburst was quickly drowned out by Republicans chanting “U-S-A!” before House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered his removal.
A vocal critic of Trump, Green has previously called for the president’s impeachment. Speaking to reporters outside the chamber, he stated, “Trump has no mandate to cut Medicaid,” and revealed that he is preparing articles of impeachment. He emphasised the importance of protecting Medicaid, which provides healthcare coverage for low-income individuals, arguing that “this is the richest country in the world, and we have people who don’t have good health care.”
Trump has assured that Medicaid will remain intact, but Democrats fear that Republican-led spending cuts could impact the program. Several Democratic lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, invited Medicaid beneficiaries as guests to the address. Meanwhile, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Instagram Live after the speech, warning that “Trump and the Republicans are coming for Medicaid.”
Green was not the only Democrat making a statement during the address. Several female lawmakers wore pink dresses to protest economic policies they say disproportionately affect women, while others sported yellow and blue ties in support of Ukraine. Tensions escalated further after Trump announced a pause on military aid to Ukraine, just days after a tense Oval Office meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Throughout the speech, Republicans frequently applauded and chanted in support of Trump, while many Democrats remained seated, at times holding placards reading “false” in response to the president’s claims.
