So far in Donald Trump’s second term, Democrats have been reluctant to stand up to the president’s massive cuts to the federal government that Americans did not vote for. But during Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday night, Representative Al Green of Texas literally stood up to the president during his speech, leaning on his cane as he disrupted Trump moments into his address.
As Trump touted the symbolic wins and federal job-slashing that has defined his first few weeks, Green began yelling back at the president. “You have no mandate to cut Medicaid,” Green said, referring to the popular health-care program that Republicans are threatening to cut that some 79 million Americans rely on.
House Speaker Mike Johnson warned Green to be quiet, as Vice-President J.D. Vance mouthed on camera to “get him out of here.” Johnson obliged; Green was removed. Trump returned to his speech lambasting egg prices and making up facts about transgender women athletes.
Outside the chamber, Green told reporters: “It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up [to Trump].” It remains to be seen if his party agrees.
