House Speaker Declares Censure of Rep. Al Green a Disheartening Day for Congress

House Speaker Declares Censure of Rep. Al Green a Disheartening Day for Congress

House Speaker Mike Johnson expressed disappointment after the House voted to censure Representative Al Green for his disruptive behavior during President Donald Trump’s recent address to Congress. Johnson stated that the actions of Democrats left them feeling embarrassed.

Following the vote, Johnson appeared on America’s Newsroom to discuss the censure decision, calling Green’s behavior ‘disgusting’ during the president’s speech.

Johnson remarked, “This is a truly sad day for our institution.” He added, “What Representative Al Green did during the president’s address, as our honored guest in the chamber, was intentional disruption. I warned him multiple times, but he chose to ignore those warnings. This was a deliberate act that required swift punishment to uphold the tradition of decorum in our Congress.”

Historic Disruption Marks a Troubling Trend

Johnson elaborated on the significance of the incident, noting its unprecedented nature. “To our knowledge, this marks the first time a member of Congress has been ejected during a presidential address, which is quite shameful,” he stated.

Multiple resolutions to censure Green had gained traction among House Republicans after he was forcibly removed from the joint session of Congress. During the speech, Green interrupted by shouting, “You have no mandate!” as Trump highlighted Republican achievements.

Following the disruption, Johnson instructed the U.S. sergeant-at-arms to remove Green from the chamber.

Defiance in the Face of Censure

After being ejected, Green spoke to reporters from the White House press pool, maintaining a defiant stance. “I’m prepared to accept any punishment that comes my way. I made it clear that I will face the consequences,” Green stated. He emphasized his commitment to opposing Trump’s policy agenda, particularly regarding cuts to vital social programs.

Amidst the storm of controversy, Johnson noted that the censure vote passed with bipartisan support, as ten Democrats joined Republicans in sanctioning Green.

Protests Disturb Congressional Proceedings

As the censure was set to be formalized, Democrats disrupted proceedings by gathering and singing “We Shall Overcome” in solidarity with Green. Consequently, Johnson was forced to call a recess to restore order after repeated attempts to manage the protest.

Johnson commented on the situation, saying, “Many Democrats were visibly embarrassed by the events that transpired. Some of their colleagues were brandishing signs and seeking to cause disruptions. However, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries commendably urged his members to uphold decorum prior to the session.”

In the Eye of Controversy

The incident drew sharp criticism from the White House, which labeled the behavior of some Democrats as childish. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described the conduct during Trump’s address as shameful, pointing out instances of blatant disrespect where some members failed to applaud a child cancer survivor.

Leavitt remarked, “Last night served as a clarifying moment for the nation. The Democrats have exposed themselves as a party driven by insanity and hate, prioritizing their disdain for Trump over celebrating American values and fellow citizens. They will not escape accountability for this behavior.”

Calls for Accountability and Decorum

Johnson asserted that the Democratic Party is currently in disarray, lacking coherent leadership and a clear vision moving forward. “They are struggling to find direction and resort to disruptive antics as a result,” he claimed. “Their actions in the House were disappointing and have tarnished the party’s image. It reflects poorly on them as individuals as well as on the institution of Congress itself.”

In a somber reflection, Johnson noted, “This day is unfortunate, and I sincerely wish we could have avoided this course of action.”

Contributions to this report come from Fox News reporters Elizabeth Elkind and Diana Stancy.