U.S. Rep. Al Green ejected from Trump’s State of the Union over protest sign

Democratic Representative Al Green was forcibly removed from the House chamber at the start of President Donald Trump's State of the Union address after he held up a sign that read “Black People Aren’t Apes!”, referencing a recent racist video posted by the president, according to Reuters and CNN. This marked the second consecutive year that Green was ejected from the event for a protest action, X (@ExpressNews) reports.

The incident sparked a sharp debate about decorum and the right to protest within Congress, with Green defending his actions as necessary to hold leadership accountable and promote peaceful protest against incendiary language, as TMZ reports. Several Democrats also refused to stand during the speech in a coordinated boycott, The Guardian notes.

The controversy around Green escalated on social media, where he faced allegations including accusations of racism and even calls for legal action related to an alleged weapon incident, according to posts highlighted by X (@utk_cp). Despite the backlash, Green reiterated the importance of addressing racial issues openly in the political arena.

Observers are now watching for potential further responses from congressional leaders regarding decorum rules at the State of the Union, as well as any official statements from the House Ethics Committee or the Department of Justice about the incident and related accusations. The ongoing tension highlights persistent divisions over race and protest within the U.S. political system.