Speaker Johnson Calls For ‘Censure’ Of Democrat Who Disrupted Trump Speech

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has called for Rep. Al Green (D-TX) to face censure following what he described as a "shameful" protest during President Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday night.

Johnson’s comments came shortly after Trump finished his speech, during which Green was forcibly removed from the House chamber due to his disruptive conduct.

“Absolutely shameful. He should be censured,” Johnson stated when questioned by The Hill about the incident. “It’s a spectacle that was not necessary. He’s made history in a terrible way, and I hope he enjoys it.”

He went on to say, “If they want to make a 77-year-old heckling Congressman the face of their resistance, if that’s the Democrat party, so be it. But we will not tolerate it on the House floor.”

Johnson expressed confidence that House Republicans would put forth a resolution to censure Green for his actions, asserting that he would “absolutely” bring the measure to the floor for discussion, according to reports.

The disruption unfolded early in Trump’s address as the president spoke about his “mandate” to serve. Green, who has been in Congress for two decades, abruptly stood and shouted in opposition, arguing that Trump lacked such a mandate. In response, Republican lawmakers broke out in chants of “USA” while security personnel worked to escort Green from the chamber.

As Green continued shouting, Johnson struck his gavel and instructed, “Members are directed to uphold and maintain decorum in the House and to cease any further disruptions. That’s your warning.”

He further stated, “Members are engaging in willful and continuing breach of decorum, and the chair is prepared to direct the sergeant at arms to restore order to the joint session.”

“Mr. Green, take your seat,” Johnson demanded. “Take your seat, sir.”

When Green refused to comply, Johnson ordered the sergeant at arms to remove him. As he was escorted out, Republicans began singing “Hey, hey, hey, goodbye.”

Following his removal, Green remained defiant when addressing reporters.

“It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up” to Trump, Green said.

House Republicans are expected to swiftly introduce a resolution to censure Green in light of the disruption, The Hill reported.

Before the speech, the House Freedom Caucus had already cautioned that any Democrat who interrupted the president’s address could face censure.

“The President’s address to tonight’s joint session of Congress is a constitutional obligation — not a sideshow for Democrats to use noisemakers, make threats, throw things or otherwise disrupt. Our colleagues are on notice that the heckler’s veto will not be tolerated,” the group stated. “You will be censured. We expect the Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police to take appropriate action against any Members of Congress or other persons violating House rules.”

In a post-speech interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Johnson reiterated his belief that a censure vote would follow.

Criticism of Green’s actions was not limited to Republicans. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) told The Hill that the Texas representative’s protest was “counterproductive.”

“I think to stand up and say, you know, he doesn’t have a mandate to cut Medicare, fine, but I think he, I think it went beyond decorum,” Coons remarked.