Al Green Removed from House Chamber After Protesting Trump’s State of the Union Address

Democratic U.S. Representative Al Green of Texas was escorted out of the House of Representatives chamber on Tuesday night after staging a protest at the start of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. The incident unfolded as Trump entered the chamber to deliver his highly anticipated speech before Congress.

Green, a longtime Democratic lawmaker and vocal critic of Trump, stood and held up a white protest sign that read, “Black people aren’t apes.” The message referenced a controversial social media video shared earlier this month from Trump’s account. The video included a clip portraying former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes, sparking widespread backlash and accusations of racism. The White House later removed the video, and Trump stated that a staff member had posted it.

Capitol officials quickly intervened as Green displayed the sign, escorting him out of the chamber before the president began his formal remarks. The disruption added tension to an already politically charged atmosphere surrounding the State of the Union address, a major annual event in U.S. politics where the president outlines legislative priorities and national policy goals.

This is not the first time Representative Green has publicly protested Trump during a congressional address. Last year, he drew national attention after shouting at the president during a speech to Congress. Green has consistently criticized Trump’s rhetoric and policies, particularly on issues involving race and civil rights.

The latest protest highlights ongoing political divisions in Washington and underscores the heated debate surrounding race, social media conduct, and presidential accountability. The incident quickly gained traction online, becoming a trending topic across political news outlets and social media platforms.