BREAKING: Al Green Censured by Congress Amid Heated Exchange
Al Green (D-TX), the outspoken Texas congressman who created a stir by shouting and waving his cane at President Donald Trump during his recent congressional address, has been officially censured for his actions.
This move comes less than 48 hours after Green was removed from the House floor for his disruptive behavior during President Trump’s speech. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) was in the process of reading the resolution, which passed with a 224-198 vote on Thursday morning, when Democrats gathered at the front of the floor and began singing in protest.
The chaotic scene was reported by Jake Sherman of Punchbowl News.
“There’s now a shouting match in the House well between Democrats and Republicans after the Green censure. Things are going really well here,” Sherman posted on X.
C-SPAN footage shows dozens of Democrats standing in front of Speaker Johnson as he attempts to restore order by gaveling and calling for silence. When the crowd refuses to disperse, Johnson calls for a recess to pause the proceedings and calm the situation.
WATCH:
On Wednesday, Green, unapologetic, shared an image of his protest on social media, stating, “Last night I stood up for those who need Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security. Democrats will never abandon the fight to ensure every American has a safe, healthy, and financially secure life. #ISaidWhatISaid”
Green’s censure marks the third instance of a Democratic congress member being censured since Speaker Johnson took office in October 2023. In December 2023, former Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) faced censure after pulling a fire alarm to disrupt House Republicans’ legislative process. The month before, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MN) was censured by House Republicans for chanting antisemitic slogans during an anti-Israel protest.
The Democratic Party’s struggle to mount effective opposition to Republican leadership in Washington, D.C. is weighing heavily on its members. Ahead of Trump’s speech, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) cautioned his colleagues against disruptions or bringing props to the event, but many ignored his advice, bringing signs and shirts to protest Trump’s policies.
Even fellow progressives criticized these actions as ineffective in the spotlight.
One Democratic strategist shared with Politico, “Some of their gestures were very silly and unserious, but I can’t help but empathize. They probably feel like they need to do something, anything… but that wasn’t the right move.”
The situation reached a new low when Democrats refused to stand or applaud 13-year-old DJ Daniel, a young boy battling brain cancer who was invited by President Trump to be an honorary member of the U.S. Secret Service. Their reaction, combined with a “repulsive” backhanded remark from MSNBC host Nicole Wallace about Daniel, added to the party’s mounting frustrations as some Democrats now seek advice from Republicans on how to move forward.