WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Al Green, the Houston Democrat facing a tough primary fight, was again removed from the House chamber during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday.
Green, 78, held up a sign reading, “Black People Aren’t Apes!”—a reference to a racist video previously posted and deleted by Trump’s social media team. Minutes into the speech, Green was escorted out. “He seems to think he can do these dastardly things with impunity,” Green told reporters after his removal. “Tonight I wanted him to have a person confront him.”
This marks the second time Green has been ejected from a State of the Union, after interrupting Trump last March. Green, a longtime critic of the former president, has filed multiple articles of impeachment against Trump, including one in June over U.S. strikes in Iran without congressional authorization.
Green is now running in the newly redrawn 18th Congressional District against U.S. Rep. Christian Menefee, who did not attend the address, choosing to remain in Houston for community meetings.
During his speech, Trump highlighted Texas issues, including a Houston mother’s struggle to buy a home amid investor competition and deadly flooding in the Hill Country that claimed 138 lives. He also recognized U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Scott Ruskan for rescuing more than 160 children, who will serve as grand marshal for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo parade.