Congressman Al Green was ejected from the chamber for interrupting President Donald Trump during his first address to Congress after resuming his presidency.
Green, 78, protested by standing up and waving his cane, but the Republican caucus’ yells overpowered his words.
To restore order, House Speaker Mike Johnson stepped in right away. The tension increased as Johnson and Vice President JD Vance, who were seated behind Trump, stood to demand calm. “USA!” yells from Republicans retaliated against Democratic jeers until House aides finally led Green out of the floor.
Al Green is who?
Since 2005, American politician and lawyer Alexander N. Green, better known by his stage as Al Green, has served as the representative for Texas’ 9th congressional district. Green, a Democrat and a lifelong supporter of social justice and civil rights, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 1, 1947.
Green spent 26 years as a justice of the peace in Harris County, Texas, prior to entering Congress. In the 2004 House race for District 9, a diverse district with a preponderance of African Americans and Latinos, he won handily thanks to his advocacy and legal experience. His status as a prominent figure in national politics has been cemented by his numerous reelections since then.
The Function of Al Green in Congress
Green has supported laws that support fair work practices, housing equity, and minority rights protection ever since he took office. He has continuously pushed for social and economic reforms to help his constituents and has been an outspoken opponent of Republican policies that he believes harm vulnerable areas.
Green was essential to the fight to hold Trump responsible. Citing Trump’s dismissal of FBI Director James Comey as an abuse of power, he introduced the first articles of impeachment against the then-president in 2017.
In 2019, he redoubled his efforts to impeach Trump, this time pointing to his divisive remarks about four Democratic congresswomen of color. Even if his attempts were unsuccessful, they solidified his standing as one of Trump’s most ardent congressional opponents.
A Strong Critic of Donald Trump
Green has been one of the most active critics of Donald Trump during his time in office. He has frequently denounced policies and statements that he believes do disproportionate harm to minority populations.
He questioned senior banking executives about the financial sector’s historical ties to slavery and the lack of diversity in leadership during a House Financial Services Committee hearing in 2019.
He demonstrated his dedication to his beliefs in 2024 when, in spite of being in the hospital, he got out of bed and walked in a wheelchair to vote against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ impeachment. Republican attempts to obtain the majority required to proceed with the impeachment process were stopped by his vote.