House Democrats ignored the request from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) for a “dignified” response to President Donald Trump’s address to Congress.
During the Republican’s 100-minute speech, some members yelled out at Trump while several held up signs in a coordinated effort to silently protest his remarks.
One lawmaker, Rep. Al Green (D-TX), was ejected from the House chamber after he was warned to stop shouting at the president. Green yelled “You have no mandate” while Republicans attempted to drown him out with boos and chants of “USA.” After several warnings from Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to maintain decorum, the speaker asked the Sergeant at Arms to escort Green out.
AL GREEN REMOVED FROM HOUSE CHAMBER AFTER PROTESTING TRUMP ADDRESS
The cane-wielding Texas Democrat said, “It’s worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up.”
Shortly after Green left the chamber, a handful of Democrats stood up and removed their jackets to protest the speech. A few were wearing shirts with “Resist” on the back, and they left the chamber. Among them included Reps. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Melanie Stansbury (D-MN), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA).
Over a dozen Democrats walked out in the middle of the speech, including Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
“There’s only so much bulls*** a person can tolerate,” Kamlager-Dove said in a post to X.
“My speech will be better,” Sanders said to reporters on his way out of the chamber.
Some Democrats were disappointed with their party’s response.
“I don’t think it helps except with really progressive voters and members in deep blue districts,” one House Democrat on the floor told the Washington Examiner. “So it doesn’t help us get the majority.”
The demonstrations come after Jeffries asked Democrats to not cause a spectacle and leave any props behind, after Axios reported that some House Democrats planned to bring eggs, egg cartons, or pocket constitutions to the address.
In a “Dear Colleague” letter, Jeffries urged a “strong, determined and dignified Democratic presence in the chamber.” Silence and a no-applause strategy were encouraged.
However, protests began right from the start, with Democrats choosing not to join the escort committee to bring Trump into the chamber as per custom.
Little to no clapping was seen from the Democratic side from the time Trump entered to his exit, and almost all Democrats did not stand for a single remark during Trump’s address. Shows of bipartisanship came when the president featured a few guests in the gallery, including Laken Riley’s family, a steel plant worker, a future teacher, the widow of a fallen police officer, and a victim of deepfake, as well as when he called for waging war on cartels.
Nearly three dozen Democrats held up black circular signs during the address with various phrases such as “Save Medicaid,” “Protect Veterans,” “False,” and “Musk Steals” — all in response to current and proposed cuts by either Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and Republicans in their budget reconciliation process.
Prior to her departure, Stansbury held up a paper sign as Trump entered the House chamber that said “This is Not Normal,” leading Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) to rip it from her hands.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), a known vocal critic of former President Joe Biden and her fellow Democrats, continued her trend of silent protesting at joint addresses. She had a whiteboard that she frequently changed with multiple phrases, including “That is a Lie!” At one point, the board said, “Start by paying your taxes,” as Trump discussed his plans for tax cuts.
Notably, House Democratic leadership remained mostly silent, starting straight ahead at the president as he spoke. Some rank-and-file members shouted “lies,” “stop spreading lies,” or “bulls***,” but most chose to stay silent, shake their heads, or scroll on their phones.
Democrats were the most vocal when it came to Trump discussing Biden, as well as taxes, the economy, and the border crisis. Several Democrats shouted out “January 6” when Trump discussed protection for police officers, but there was a sign of unity when a 13-year-old aspiring police officer, named DJ, was spotlighted by the president and made an “agent of the United States” by the Secret Service.
TRUMP DECLARES ‘AMERICA IS BACK’ IN PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS RIFE WITH DEMOCRATIC PROTESTS
The caucus also protested through fashion. At least two dozen Democrats donned pink, a “color of power and protest,” instead of suffragette white to Trump’s address. Several wore pink pantsuits, scarves, pins, flowers, and dresses.
Others wore yellow and blue to signal support for Ukraine after conversations between Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump, and Vance broke down last week when the foreign leader was at the White House to sign a minerals deal. Many others wore black to express their somber response to the address, as well.
Lauren Green contributed to this report.
