In a dramatic and very rare moment in congressional history, Democratic Representative Al Green of Texas was kicked out of the House chamber after he caused trouble by interrupting a joint address to Congress being given by President Donald Trump. Elbow-pushing Trump, of whom he has been publicly critical for years, Al Green took a pointed stand within minutes of the president’s speech and waved his stick up and down while saying, “Mr. President, you have no mandate!” This message in relation to Trump’s cuts to Medicaid sparked even more protests, as headlined in The Latest Sacramento News.

When Speaker of the House Mike Johnson interrupted and spoke to restore order, Republicans immediately choked Greene by chanting “U-S-A.” When Greene refused to sit down, the Sergeant at Arms was called in to escort him out, with GOP members mockingly singing, “Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye.”

Green’s Stand Against Medicaid Cuts

Speaking while out of the chamber, Green was unrepentant about his actions: “This is the richest country in the world, yet millions are without proper health care. Trump has no authority to cut Medicaid,” he told reporters. His comments were symptomatic of the general concern among Democrats that Trump’s proposed budget would slash Medicaid funds, thus affecting millions of America’s low-income populations.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had even invited Medicaid beneficiaries to attend the speech to show how much the program mattered. Meanwhile, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez went to Instagram Live to rant about, “They’re coming for you. They’re coming’ for you with a Medicaid.”

A Night of Silent Protests and Defiance

Greene’s removal was not the only expression of dissent within the House. Several Democratic lawmakers staged symbolic protests to show their opposition to Trump’s policies.

• Most significantly, members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus wore pink, a silent condemnation of policies they say disproportionately hurt women.
• On the back, they held black paddles, some of which bore messages such as “Save Medicaid,” “Protect Veterans,” and “Musk Steals,” a reference to Elon Musk’s recent initiatives on government efficiency that have drawn scrutiny from Social Security.
• Some lawmakers, including Representatives Jasmine Crockett and Maxwell Frost, took off their jackets and wore black shirts with bold messages such as “Resist” and “No More King.”

Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove of California walked out during the speech but later posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “there is only so much bullshit one can tolerate.”

Congressional Tensions Reach a Boiling Point

Despite being a major event, the ongoing drama highlighted the growing divide within Congress. Reportedly, Democratic leaders had called on members to maintain dignity before the speech, advising them to prioritize policy and not personal antagonism. However, the atmosphere was so emotional that many of them found it impossible to control themselves.

Republicans called Greene’s removal the only way to maintain order. House Speaker Johnson defended himself, saying, “Interruptions will not be tolerated. The House must maintain decorum.”

But for many Democrats, the incident reflects a broader battle between democracy and social justice. Newspapers for Latinos in Sacramento and other sources covering the story have reported how the incident could energize progressive voters at the polls.

A Divided Future in American Politics

This is a very rare and historic event, the sitting lawmaker exclusion from a presidential address. The protests by Green have effects that continue to debate freedom of speech, political resistance, and the future of healthcare policies under Trump’s administration.

Dprimeramano has been and will continue to be a Spanish magazine in Sacramento and a resource for the latest Sacramento news on issues that matter to you. From debates in policy to community work, this coverage strives to inform and empower Latino voices in the political landscape.

In a nation deeply partisan, the unfolding consequence will shape the political landscape for years. While it remains uncertain if Green will face any further backlash, one thing is sure—he has sparked a raging discussion that will not go away anytime soon.

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