Some Democrats join Republicans to censure Al Green for disrupting Trump’s speech

The House passed the censure resolution in a 224-198 vote, accusing Green of a “breach of proper conduct” after he shouted “He has no mandate!” during Trump’s joint session address. The Republican speaker, Mike Johnson, ordered Green’s removal from the chamber - an unusual disciplinary action in congressional history.

In a defiant speech before the vote, Green made it clear he had no regrets.

“I heard the speaker when he said that I should cease,” he said. “I did not, and I did not with intentionality.”

Unlike expulsion, censure is a formal reprimand that does not strip lawmakers of their voting rights, though it remains unclear whether Green will retain his committee assignments.

Rising number of censures in Congress

Green is the 28th member of Congress to be censured, joining a growing list of lawmakers who have faced the rarely used punishment in recent years. In contrast, Marjorie Taylor Greene faced no disciplinary action after she heckled President Biden during his 2024 State of the Union address, calling him a “liar.”

During Trump’s speech, several Democrats staged protests with signs like “False” and “Save Medicare,” with one Republican, Lance Gooden, reportedly grabbing and throwing a sign held by Representative Melanie Stansbury.

Green, who has long opposed Trump and previously filed impeachment articles against him, defended his actions on social media.

“Democrats will never abandon the fight to make sure every American has a safe, healthy, and financially secure life,” he wrote on X.

Green, who was recently ejected from the chamber after shouting at Trump, now faces censure, a move reinforcing how partisan battles have turned congressional discipline into a political weapon.