4 hours ago
9
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - During President Donald Trump's first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, March 4, 2025, a disruption occurred when Texas Democrat Al Green interrupted the speech.
As Trump outlined his administration’s sweeping legislative agenda and vision for Congress, Green was ejected after refusing to sit down, raising and shaking his cane toward the president, and shouting, "You have no mandate!”
The incident quickly grabbed online attention, raising increased curiosity about “Who is Al Green?”
Who is Al Green?
Representative Al Green is a 77-year-old congressman representing Texas 9th congressional district, including the southwestern region of the greater Houston area, since 2005. Born in New Orleans on September 1, 1974, Green serves as an assistant whip for House Democrats and is a member of the Congressional Asian American Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus.
Green attended Florida A&M University, Howard University, and the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, but earned no undergraduate degree. In 1973, he enrolled in the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate before co-founding and co-managing a law firm.
Al Green’s reputation for disruption
In Congress, Al Green and disruption are often closely linked. The recent incident is not his first protest.
In 2012, the New Orleans native was arrested in front of the Sudanese embassy in Washington, D.C., protesting the humanitarian crisis in Sudan alongside actor George Clooney and activist Martin Luther King III.
During Trump’s first term, he also repeatedly filed articles of impeachment against the president and threatened to do so again during his second term. His vocal criticism, therefore, led him to become the first Democrat in Congress to push for Trump’s impeachment back in 2017.
Why Was Al Green Ejected During Trump’s Speech?
Al Green’s reputation for disruption in Congress was recently highlighted during Trump’s address to Congress on Tuesday night, March 4, 2025. Although his Democratic peers also protested during the president’s speech, Green did it differently and more dramatically by standing up, raising his cane toward the president, and shouting.
In response to Green’s actions, House Speaker Mike Johnson instructed, "Members must uphold decorum and cease any further disturbances. That’s your warning."
When the Texas Democrat ignored the request to sit down, Johnson ordered the sergeant at arms to "restore order" and escort Green from the chamber. For this incident, Green became the first lawmaker to be ejected from the chamber by the House Speaker.
Later, Green told reporters, “willing to suffer whatever punishment is available to me.” He also highlighted, “The president said he had a mandate, and I was making it clear to the president that he has no mandate to cut Medicaid. I have people who are very fearful. These are poor people, and they have only Medicaid in their lives when it comes to their healthcare.”
He then said, “this president seems to care less about them and more about the number of people that he can remove from the various programs that have been so helpful.”
According to Yahoo, Representative Al Green may face censure by the House of Representatives for his recent disruptive behavior.
Editor’s Choice: US House Starts Reprimand of Democrat Al Green for Disrupting Trump Speech
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Hamas Says Trump Threats Encourage Netanyahu to Evade Gaza Ceasefire Deal
7 menit lalu
Hamas said Trump's repeated threats against Palestinians constituted support for Israel's Netanyahu to back out of the Gaza ceasefire.
New Zealand Sacks Ambassador to UK After He Questions Trump's Grasp of History
9 menit lalu
New Zealand's foreign minister Winston Peters had sacked the country's ambassador to the UK after comments on Donald Trump.
OJK Reports 104% Surge in Crypto Transactions
40 menit lalu
The latest data from OJK recorded the value of crypto asset transactions reaching Rp 44.07 trillion in January 2025, increasing by 104.31 percent compared to January 2024
U.S. Rejects Alternative for Gaza Reconstruction Plan by Arab Leaders
1 jam lalu
The US is adamant that the Arab proposal for the reconstruction of Gaza cannot be implemented. What is the reason?
New Trump Travel Ban Could Bar Afghans, Pakistanis Soon, Sources Say
2 jam lalu
A new travel ban by President Donald Trump could bar people from Afghanistan and Pakistan from entering the U.S.
From U.S. to Argentina, Here Are the Most Filmed Destinations in the World
2 jam lalu
A study reveals the most filmed destinations in films, including iconic landmarks like Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House.
Hundreds of U.S. Diplomats Protest Dismantling of USAID in Join Letter to Rubio
3 jam lalu
Trump tasked billionaire and advisor Elon Musk with dismantling USAID.
U.S. Holds Secret Talks with Hamas, Negotiates Hostage Release
5 jam lalu
Trump breaks diplomatic taboo by sending an envoy to meet Hamas to negotiate hostage release.
The Impact of Houthis' Designation as Terrorists on Yemen
7 jam lalu
For the second time, the Trump Administration has designated Houthi as a terrorist organization.
US House Starts Reprimand of Democrat Al Green for Disrupting Trump Speech
7 jam lalu
Democrat Al Green was kicked out of the chamber after yelling at US President Donald Trump during an address.
