House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his disappointment after the House of Representatives voted to censure Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat. This vote came in response to Green’s outburst during President Donald Trump’s recent address to Congress, where he shouted, "You have no mandate!" disrupting the speech.
The incident occurred on March 4, 2025, as Trump spoke to a joint session of Congress. Johnson stated that Green’s behavior was intentional and disrespectful, emphasizing the need for decorum in the chamber. "This is a really sad day for our institution," Johnson said during an appearance on "America’s Newsroom." He explained that he had warned Green multiple times before the disruption, which led to his removal by the U.S. sergeant-at-arms.
The censure vote, which passed with bipartisan support, saw ten Democrats joining Republicans in the decision. Johnson characterized the Democrats as "embarrassed" by Green’s actions and criticized their behavior during the address, describing it as childish. He noted that the event marked the first time a member of Congress had been removed during a presidential address, calling it shameful.
After the censure vote, Democrats protested by gathering and singing "We Shall Overcome," which led Johnson to call for a recess. He remarked that such actions brought shame to the institution and highlighted the need for all members to maintain decorum.
Green, however, remained defiant after his removal, stating he was willing to face any punishment for standing up against Trump’s policies, particularly regarding healthcare programs like Medicaid and Medicare. He expressed that it was important to voice opposition to what he described as the president’s harmful agenda.
Johnson reiterated his concerns about the Democratic Party’s direction, claiming they are in disarray and resorting to disruptive tactics as a result. He expressed hope that the House could move forward from this incident, but emphasized the importance of maintaining respect and order in congressional proceedings.