In a dramatic turn of events during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress—widely regarded as the State of the Union in all but name—Representative Al Green (D-TX) was reportedly removed from the House chamber. The incident, unfolding in real time as of 9:26 PM EST, has sparked immediate reactions across social media, with posts on X indicating that House Speaker Mike Johnson ordered the Sergeant at Arms to eject Green for disrupting the proceedings.
According to posts on X, Speaker Johnson was heard directing, “Mr. Green, take your seat,” before escalating to, “Remove this gentleman from the chamber.” Multiple users, including journalists and political commentators, reported that Green, a long-serving Democratic congressman from Texas’s 9th district, was escorted out following the directive. The exact nature of Green’s disruption remains unclear at this early stage, as official statements from the House or Green’s office have yet to emerge.
https://twitter.com/alx/status/1897112633880535468?s=46&t=mjqV_Tvhei424o_Q735t7w
This joint session, held on March 4, 2025, marks President Trump’s first major address to Congress since his return to the White House. Invited by Speaker Johnson, the speech—technically not a State of the Union due to its timing early in Trump’s term—has been anticipated as a platform for outlining his administration’s agenda. However, the removal of Green suggests that tensions within the chamber are running high, reflecting the polarized political climate.
Al Green, now in his 11th term, is no stranger to controversy. Known for his outspoken advocacy on issues like civil rights and his past efforts to impeach Trump during his first presidency, Green has often positioned himself as a vocal critic of Republican leadership. Posts on X from users like @Debra4KAG labeled Democrats “thugs” in response to the incident, while @MLChadbourn and @FaytuksNetwork confirmed Johnson’s order, with the latter noting that Vice President JD Vance, presiding as Senate President, may have also played a role in directing the removal. These accounts, while vivid, remain unverified by traditional news outlets at this hour, leaving room for skepticism about the full context.
The timing of Green’s removal is notable. Just over six weeks into Trump’s second term, the administration has already faced scrutiny for rapid policy shifts, including executive orders and the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative led by Elon Musk. Public sentiment, as captured in a recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, shows a divided nation—53% of Americans view the state of the union as “not strong,” with independents leaning heavily critical. Green’s outburst, whatever its cause, could be seen as a manifestation of this broader discontent among Democrats.
Was Green’s disruption a planned protest, a spontaneous reaction, or something else entirely? Past State of the Union addresses have seen interruptions—think Representative Joe Wilson’s “You lie!” shout in 2009—but removals are rare and signal a breakdown in decorum. The lack of immediate clarity invites speculation, and X posts alone cannot confirm the narrative. Some users suggest partisan motives, with @SamanthaJoRoth expressing surprise at the swift action, while others see it as a justified response to disorder.
As the speech continues, the incident risks overshadowing Trump’s message. Green, a figure with a history of resilience—he famously left a hospital in a wheelchair to vote against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024—may yet frame this as a stand against what he perceives as overreach. For now, the nation watches, and the establishment narrative of a orderly address has been upended by a single, chaotic moment.
More details are expected as the evening progresses. Until then, Representative Al Green’s removal stands as a striking, if murky, footnote to an already contentious night in Washington.
