(Gray News) – Rep. Al Green said Tuesday night that he is willing to “suffer the consequences” for disrupting President Donald Trump’s address to Congress Tuesday night.
The Democratic representative from Texas spoke with media Tuesday night after he shouted in protest during the president’s speech.
“What I did was from my heart,” Green said. “People are suffering.”
Green’s outburst came at the beginning of the speech, adding an extra layer of uneasiness to the already tense atmosphere.
Democrats, now the minority party, sat disapprovingly on one side of the chamber, with Republicans rambunctiously occupying the other side.
When Green rose to speak, shaking his gold-tipped cane at the president, he was drowned out by chants of “USA! USA!” from Republicans.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson watched Green from his perch on the dais before issuing a warning for order and banging the gavel.
However, Green remained standing and was quickly ordered by the Sergeant at Arms to leave the chamber.
Green was ejected from the Hall for his actions, being one of the only politicians in recent memory to be removed during an address from the president.
After the speech, Johnson said Green should be censured by the House, while his colleagues demanded other more severe reprimands.
During his interview, Green said he spoke out about Medicaid, a health care program used by at least 80 million Americans. The program has recently come under the threat of cuts and work requirements from the Republican party, which has drawn criticism from Democrats and U.S. citizens who benefit from the program.
“I was talking about Medicaid. I didn’t just say, ‘You don’t have a mandate.’ I said, ‘You don’t have a mandate to cut Medicaid,’” Green said. “And I mentioned that the cap should be lifted higher on Social Security. And we have to protect, Medicaid, Medicare.”
“And I did it from my heart. And I will suffer whatever the consequences are,” he added.
Copyright 2025 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.