Democrats Sing, Rally Around Al Green After Censure for Trump Speech Disruption

House lawmakers voted to censure Rep. Al Green (D-TX) after he was removed from former President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday night.

The resolution passed with the support of ten Democrats who joined Republicans, while Green himself voted “present,” alongside first-term Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL), according to Fox News.

“Al Green’s childish outburst exposed the chaos and dysfunction within the Democrat party since President Trump’s overwhelming win in November and his success in office thus far. It is not surprising 198 Democrats refused to support Green’s censure given their history of radical, inflammatory rhetoric fueled by Trump Derangement Syndrome,” stated House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) in remarks to Fox News Digital.

The outlet identified the ten Democrats who backed the censure as Reps. Ami Bera (D-CA), Ed Case (D-HI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Laura Gillen (D-NY), Jim Himes (D-CT), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY).

Republicans acted quickly on Wednesday, introducing multiple resolutions to formally censure Green, with three separate proposals surfacing within hours.

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), whose resolution ultimately went to a vote on Thursday morning, reportedly contacted Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) immediately after Trump’s speech concluded Tuesday night to begin drafting the censure measure.

Meanwhile, the House Freedom Caucus followed through on its earlier warning that any Democrat who disrupted Trump’s address would face censure. Additionally, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) put forth his own resolution against Green, swiftly gathering over 30 House GOP co-sponsors.

By Wednesday afternoon, Newhouse took to the House floor, invoking a “privileged” status for his resolution—forcing House leadership to act on it within two legislative days, according to Fox News.

Following the vote, Newhouse told Fox News Digital, “President Trump’s address to Congress was not a debate or a forum; he was invited by the Speaker to outline his agenda for the American people. The actions by my colleague from Texas broke the rules of decorum in the House, and he must be held accountable.”

House Democrats largely attempted to block the measure from reaching a vote on Wednesday, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

The 77-year-old Texas lawmaker was escorted from Trump’s speech after repeatedly interrupting the opening portion of the address.

As Trump highlighted Republican victories in the House, Senate, and White House, Green interrupted by shouting, “You have no mandate!”

Speaker Mike Johnson ordered the U.S. Sergeant-at-Arms to remove Green from the chamber.

Green’s disruption was part of broader Democratic protests, with some lawmakers engaging in both vocal and silent demonstrations against Trump’s speech. Democrats also faced backlash for refusing to stand and applaud when Trump honored a 13-year-old boy who had survived brain cancer by naming him an honorary Secret Service agent.

On Thursday, Speaker Johnson called on Democrats to support Green’s censure.

“Despite my repeated warnings, he refused to cease his antics, and I was forced to remove him from the chamber,” Johnson posted on X. “He deliberately violated House rules, and an expeditious vote of censure is an appropriate remedy. Any Democrat who is concerned about regaining the trust and respect of the American people should join House Republicans in this effort.”

Before addressing his own censure, Green shook Newhouse’s hand and stood firm in defending his actions.

“I heard the speaker when he said that I should cease. I did not, and I did not with intentionality. It was not done out of a burst of emotion,” Green stated.

“I think that on some questions, questions of conscience, you have to be willing to suffer the consequences. And I have said I will. I will suffer whatever the consequences are, because I don’t believe that in the richest country in the world, people should be without good healthcare.”