Overview
- Green was escorted out within minutes of the address after refusing to lower a handwritten sign, as Republicans including Steve Scalise, Markwayne Mullin, Roger Marshall and Troy Nehls moved to block or grab it and chants of “USA” broke out.
- The sign referenced a recent Trump social media video that showed Barack and Michelle Obama as apes; the White House has called the clip a meme, and Trump has not apologized for sharing it.
- This was Green’s second removal during a Trump address following a 2025 ejection that led to his censure by the House.
- House Democratic leaders had urged members to avoid disruptions, yet several defied the guidance, with Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar repeatedly heckling the president during sections on immigration, crime and foreign policy.
- Dozens of Democrats skipped the speech to attend a National Mall “People’s State of the Union” rally as both parties weighed the optics and political fallout heading into the midterms.