Speaker Johnson Slams Dem Rep. Green's 'Egregious Behavior' During Trump's Address

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., took an unusually strong tone on Wednesday, condemning Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, for what he called "shameful and egregious behavior" during President Donald Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. Green, who was removed from the chamber after protesting Trump’s speech, was accused by Johnson of deliberately violating House rules.

Johnson didn’t hold back, sharing his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), where he accused Green of having "disgraced the institution of Congress." He also urged members of the Democratic Party to join Republicans in supporting a resolution to censure the Texas representative.

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., introduced the resolution on Wednesday, and it survived an attempt by Democrats to table it, paving the way for a likely House-wide vote. The resolution doesn't carry any real consequences but serves as a formal condemnation of Green’s actions. It’s the congressional equivalent of a very public slap on the wrist, but boy, does it sting.

The drama unfolded on Tuesday night when Green interrupted Trump’s speech, shouting his dissent after the president called the 2024 election "a mandate like has not been seen in many decades" and celebrated GOP victories. Green refused to take his seat despite a warning from Johnson, forcing the Speaker to call on the Sergeant at Arms to escort him out. "The president said he had a mandate, and I was making it clear to the president that he has no mandate to cut Medicaid," Green later told reporters, standing by his actions.

Not surprisingly, Green seemed fully prepared to face the fallout. Speaking to the press, he declared he was "willing to suffer whatever punishment" might come his way. He even took to X himself, reminding his followers about the upcoming censure vote. If nothing else, the man’s got commitment.

Johnson didn’t mince words when speaking to reporters on Wednesday, calling Green’s protest "unprecedented"—at least in modern times. "It wasn’t an excited utterance. It was a planned, prolonged protest," he said. That’s one way of saying, "This wasn’t some heat-of-the-moment outburst; this was a full-on spectacle."

Interestingly, Green was the only Democrat who actively disrupted Trump’s speech. While other Democrats staged subtler protests—like holding up signs or walking out early—Green took things up a notch. His dramatic exit may have grabbed headlines, but it also put a spotlight on the deepening divisions within Congress.

Censure resolutions, while largely symbolic, have been used in the past to formally reprimand lawmakers. Recent examples include former Reps. Adam Schiff and Jamaal Bowman, as well as Rep. Rashida Tlaib. If this resolution passes, Green will join that not-so-illustrious list, though one suspects he might wear it as a badge of honor.

Whether you see Green’s actions as bold advocacy or an unnecessary disruption, one thing’s clear: Congress is anything but boring these days. And for a chamber that often feels stuck in the mud, that’s saying something.