Al Green, a Democratic congressman from Texas, has said he directly confronted Donald Trump during the State of the Union address in Washington after the president faced widespread criticism for a controversial video shared on his social media earlier this month.
At the start of the speech on February 24, Green unfurled a sign in the House chamber reading “Black people aren’t apes” as Trump entered, a silent protest aimed at condemning a video previously posted to Trump’s platform that depicted Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as primates. The video widely condemned as racist was later taken down by the White House, with the administration saying a staffer was responsible for posting it.
Green, who entered Congress in 2005 and represents a majority‑Black district, told reporters afterward that he positioned himself along the aisle so Trump would see him and the message. He described the depiction of the Obamas as “unacceptable” and “deplorable” and said he felt obligated to confront the issue directly rather than remain silent.
Less than two minutes into the address, Green was escorted out of the chamber by security officials after refusing to lower his sign. It was the second consecutive year that he has been removed from a Trump address: during last year’s State of the Union he was ejected after shouting criticism of the president’s policy agenda.
Asked whether he could face additional disciplinary action from the Republican‑controlled House, Green said he did not know but that potential consequences were secondary to his message. He emphasized the importance of speaking out against what he sees as racially insensitive conduct at the highest levels of government.
The episode further highlights the deep partisan and racial tensions surrounding Trump’s presidency and the broader national debate over rhetoric, symbolism and respect in political discourse.
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