Congressman Al Green Ejected from Trump’s State of the Union — Again
Texas Congressman Al Green made headlines again on Tuesday night. He was led out of the House chamber during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. This is the second year in a row. The veteran Houston Democrat has missed a big presidential address to Congress.
Green was spotted on the House floor holding a sign. It said, “Black People Aren’t Apes.” This seemed to reference a video Trump shared on social media. The video showed former President Barack Obama. It also showed former First Lady Michelle Obama. Both were depicted as apes. The post was later deleted after backlash from both Republicans and Democrats.
President Trump posted a video featuring the Obamas as monkeys on Truth Social.
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Trump and his GOP leaders walked down the aisle. Majority Leader Steven Scalise tried to pull down the sign. He couldn’t do it. Republicans moved quickly to block Green’s message from public view, with Reps. Pat Fallon (R-TX), John McGuire (R-VA), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) are all trying to keep the sign off camera.
At one point, fellow Texan Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) tried to grab the sign from Green while he was being escorted out. This almost started a fight. Then, someone pulled Nehls away from the 78-year-old congressman.
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Speaking to the press afterwards, Green made clear the protest was deliberate. “The first time it was spontaneity,” Green told NBC News. “This time it was with intentionality. I wanted to make sure that I got a message to him. That’s why I took the seat where I was on the aisle, so that I could give it to him personally.”
Green explained further: “We must take a stand against this level of invidious discrimination. I wanted him to know, and I wanted him to see it and hear it up close. But judging from the expression on his face, he got the message.”
The incident is not occurring in a political vacuum. Green has served the 9th Congressional District for a long time. Now, he is running for reelection in the new 18th Congressional District. Texas Republicans did an unusual mid-decade redistricting. Trump requested this to help the GOP gain up to five more congressional seats in Texas. Green faces Rep. Christian Menefee, 37, in a March 3 primary.
Green has often criticised Trump, filing articles of impeachment against him several times. He pointed out his removal from last year’s address as a campaign asset. In a recent ad, he said, “When I stood up, it wasn’t for attention.”It was because some things are worth standing for.”
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The congressman’s anti-Trump posture extended beyond Tuesday night.
Green said he wouldn’t do press interviews in the Russell Senate Office Building the day before the State of the Union. He mentioned Senator Richard Russell Jr., the building’s namesake. Russell opposed anti-lynching laws and co-wrote the “Southern Manifesto.” Green said, “I can’t, in good conscience, take part in interviews here. This building honours a legacy of racial division and civil rights opposition.”
The primary is just days away. Congressman Al Green has national attention on him. He strongly opposes the Trump administration.
Sources:
- NBC News: Rep. Al Green ejected from Trump’s State of the Union after holding a ‘Black People Aren’t Apes’ sign
- Houston Public Media: Houston Rep. Al Green again removed from Congress during Trump speech
- KPRC / Click2Houston: Texas Rep. Al Green escorted out of House chamber after waving sign during Trump’s State of the Union
- Deadline: Texas’ Rep Al Green Tossed Out Of Trump SOTU For Protest Over AI Video Attack Depicting Obamas As Apes
- Congressman Green’s Official Site: Congressman Al Green Will Not Participate in State of the Union Interviews Held in the Russell Senate Office Building
