President Donald Trump‘s address to Congress commenced amidst notable protests, setting a tense atmosphere for the proceedings.
On Tuesday, March 4, President Trump, now 78 years old, delivered his inaugural speech inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, following his inauguration in January. This significant event marked a pivotal moment in his presidency, as he aimed to outline his vision for the country moving forward.
As Trump began his remarks, the atmosphere quickly escalated when Rep. Al Green was forcibly removed from the chamber. Green, a Democratic congressman representing Texas for 11 terms, vocally protested, refusing to take his seat and expressing his dissent towards the president’s policies.
The 77-year-old legislator shook his cane at Trump, passionately demanding his impeachment. “You have no mandate!” Green shouted in response to Trump’s assertion that the upcoming 2024 presidential election against former Vice President Kamala Harris represented “a mandate like has not been seen in many decades.” His outburst highlighted the deep division within Congress.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who was seated directly behind Trump, repeatedly urged Green to return to his seat before ultimately requesting his removal from the chamber. Johnson, 53, cited the need for decorum and order, reading from the Congressional rulebook, “Finding that members continue to engage in willful and concerted disruption of proper decorum, the Chair now directs the Sergeant at Arms to restore order and remove this gentleman from the chamber.”
Following this directive, security personnel escorted Green out of the chamber while House Sergeant at Arms Ronny Jackson accompanied him. As the scene unfolded, Republican members in the chamber chanted, “Nah nah nah nah, goodbye,” a stark reminder of the political tensions at play, as reported by NBC News.
Once outside, Green addressed reporters, stating that as “a person of conscience,” he believes Trump has engaged in actions that cannot continue unchecked. His remarks emphasized a commitment to accountability in leadership.
“This whole budget that he has is one that is going to cause Medicaid to be cut, and when he said he had a mandate, it triggered something,” Green elaborated. “Because he doesn’t have a mandate, and he doesn’t have a mandate to cut health care from poor people.” His comments underscored the ongoing debate over healthcare and social welfare programs in America.
Throughout Trump’s presidency, Green has consistently been a vocal critic, having previously filed articles of impeachment citing “high misdemeanors” during Trump’s first term. Following Trump’s recent re-election, Green reaffirmed his commitment to continue advocating for impeachment, reflecting the ongoing partisan struggles in Congress.
In related news, an Oscar-winning actress recently expressed her dismay over the removal of her children’s book from schools, a direct consequence of one of Trump‘s recent executive orders, further illustrating the far-reaching impacts of his policies on the arts and education.
