The State of the Union quickly got physical on Tuesday, when Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) mounted yet another protest from inside the House chamber that prompted multiple Republicans to confront him.
Why it matters: The demonstration resulted in Green getting escorted out of the House chamber, the second time in as many years he has been ejected from a Trump speech to Congress.
- Green notoriously heckled Trump relentlessly at the start of his 2025 speech to a joint session of Congress, which was rocked by Democratic heckling and walkouts throughout.
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) had repeatedly urged his members in the run-up to the speech to maintain decorum, with lawmakers specifically instructed not to bring signs.
What happened: As Trump entered the chamber, Green held up a sign reading "BLACK PEOPLE AREN'T APES!" and remained standing as Trump began his speech.
- Numerous Republican lawmakers walked over to Green to confront him verbally, with Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) attempting to snatch the sign out of his hand.
- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) also attempted to pull the sign down.
Mullin and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) then tried to block Trump's view of Green, who was eventually escorted out by a House sergeant-at-arms staffer.
- But as he was leaving, Green stopped in the chamber and held up his sign directly at Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas). Nehls tried vigorously to snatch the sign out of his hand.
Between the lines: The sign was a reference to Trump's account posting a video to Truth Social this month that depicted former President Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes.
- After leaving the chamber, Green told reporters, "I wanted the president to see it and he saw it. I told him Black people are not apes ... What I'm doing is making a point to the president."
- Green denied that he was going against Jeffries with his protest.
What to watch: Green was censured for his disruption last year, and Republican leaders signaled that could be on the table again.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters Republicans will "talk about" that possibility.
- Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) told CNN the GOP will "seriously" look at whether to censure Green.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with post-speech comments.
