Rep. Al Green Ejected from Trump’s Speech Over Medicaid Protest: ‘It’s Worth It’
In a historic moment, Rep. Al Green (D-TX) became the first lawmaker in recent memory to be removed from the House chamber during a sitting president’s address to a joint session of Congress—a move that underscores the deep divisions in Washington over healthcare policy and the future of Medicaid.
The dramatic ejection unfolded just minutes into President Donald Trump’s speech on tonight. As Trump touted the “mandate” he claimed to have earned from his 2024 election victory, Green stood up and interrupted the president, shouting that Trump had “no mandate” to make cuts to Medicaid. His protest was a direct challenge to ongoing Republican efforts to reduce funding for the federal program that serves low-income and vulnerable Americans.
Green’s outburst was met with immediate backlash from the Republican side of the aisle, with GOP lawmakers loudly telling him to “sit down” and “shut up.” But Green, a veteran lawmaker known for bold and theatrical gestures, refused to be silenced. His persistence ultimately led House Speaker Mike Johnson to direct the House Sergeant at Arms to escort Green out of the chamber.
A Stand for Healthcare Justice
Speaking to reporters outside the chamber, Green was unapologetic about his actions.
“It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up to Trump,” he declared.
Green did not say whether he expected any formal punishment but made it clear that protecting Medicaid was a cause worth fighting for.
The Texas congressman’s protest was fueled by fears of deep Medicaid cuts outlined in a budget resolution passed by House Republicans last week. Democrats have warned that these proposed cuts would strip millions of low-income Americans of critical healthcare access.
A History of Resistance
Green has long been a vocal critic of Trump, making headlines for being one of the first lawmakers to introduce articles of impeachment against the former president. Despite limited support within his own party at the time, Green forced multiple votes on Trump’s impeachment during his first term, in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
His protest also shines a spotlight on the double standard in how lawmakers are treated during presidential addresses. Republicans, including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO), frequently heckled President Joe Biden during his State of the Union speeches—yet they were never removed from the chamber.
The Bigger Picture
Green’s ejection marks a rare moment in U.S. history, symbolizing the high stakes of healthcare policy in the ongoing political battle over Medicaid and social safety nets. His defiance also sets the stage for further congressional clashes as Democrats continue to push back against Republican-led efforts to scale back government-funded healthcare programs.
As Trump and GOP lawmakers push forward with budget cuts, Green’s removal serves as a rallying cry for those who believe in fighting to protect Medicaid and uphold healthcare access for millions.
With 2024 shaping up to be a critical election year, Green’s actions raise a key question: Will more lawmakers be willing to take bold stands, or will protests like his be met with swift removals from the chamber?
For now, Rep. Al Green has made it clear—he’s not backing down.
