Days after being forcibly removed from the House chamber and censured for interrupting President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, Rep. Al Green (D-TX) took to the House floor to explain his actions. The longtime Texas lawmaker stood by his decision to disrupt the speech, citing concerns over Trump’s proposed cuts to Medicaid.
Green made it clear that he was willing to face consequences for standing up for vulnerable Americans. He acknowledged that his actions were disruptive but insisted they were necessary.
“I have no ill feelings toward the Speaker. None toward the persons that escorted me away from the floor because I did disrupt,” Green said. “And I did so because the President indicated that he had a mandate. And I wanted him to know that he didn’t have a mandate to cut Medicaid.”
BREAKING: In a stunning moment, Rep. Al Green reveals why he disrupted Trump's speech, "I wanted [Trump] to know that he didn't have a mandate to cut Medicaid… I have the best health care in the world. There are other people who have less than I have."pic.twitter.com/ZQlBSNRXdl
— Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) March 6, 2025
Green’s protest came as Trump doubled down on his administration’s plans to restructure and reduce funding for Medicaid, a move that would impact millions of low-income Americans who rely on the program for healthcare coverage.
“I did this because Medicaid is the only insurance many people have in this country,” Green said. “I am blessed as I stand here now. There’s a physician waiting. If something should happen, I will be taken to that physician. I have the best healthcare in the world. There are other people who have less than I. I would have them have what I have. But I surely will not stand by and see them lose what little they do have.”
Green’s interruption on Tuesday night led to an immediate reaction from House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who ordered him removed from the chamber. Two days later, the House voted 224-198 to censure Green, marking a rare and serious formal rebuke.
While some Democrats distanced themselves from the disruption, others rallied behind Green, praising him for standing up for Americans who often have no voice in Washington. The ten Democrats who voted in favor of his censure are now facing backlash from progressive activists who argue they should have defended Green’s right to protest.
