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Democratic Rep. Al Green defended himself against a House censure, suggesting racial discrimination played a role in the punishment he received for disrupting President Donald Trump’s congressional address.
Following his removal from the House chamber for repeatedly interrupting Trump’s Tuesday speech, Green appeared on “The Breakfast Club” to address the censure vote that labeled his actions a “breach of proper conduct.” The Texas representative drew parallels between his treatment and that of white colleagues who had previously interrupted congressional addresses without facing similar consequences.
“There is invidious discrimination in the House of Representatives. I’m a son of the segregated South. The rights that the Constitution recognized for me, my friends and neighbors denied,” Green said. “I had to sit in the back of the bus, the balcony of the movie, drink from a colored water fountain and my relatives who committed some crimes were locked up in the bottom of the jail. I know what invidious discrimination looks like. The Klan burned a cross in my yard. I know what it smells like.”
198 Democrats just voted against censuring Rep. Al Green. Instead of supporting decorum, they defended his shameful and egregious behavior.
What an embarrassment. pic.twitter.com/1088cgYr5J
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) March 6, 2025
“I was in filthy waiting rooms and I’ve been in places where I didn’t want to be. And I know what it sounds like. I’ve been called all kinds of ugly names. So I know invidious discrimination,” he continued. “And when the speaker decided that I would be removed, and then there was this motion, this resolution to censure me, it became obvious to me that I was not being treated as others were. And candidly speaking, it is invidious discrimination, harmful discrimination.”
Green contended that Trump’s characterization of Democrats as “radical left lunatics” during the address warranted censure itself.
The incident unfolded after Speaker Mike Johnson instructed the House sergeant-of-arms to remove Green for his persistent disruptions. Johnson condemned Green’s behavior as “shameful and egregious” and urged Democratic representatives to support the formal punishment.
It looks like Congress is starting to realize that Americans are sick and tired of them acting like children. Al Green has been censured 224 to 198. 10 Democrats voted to censure him.pic.twitter.com/a8NgKTV7kf
— patrick ley (@theworkingmans) March 6, 2025
In a statement pushing for bipartisan support, Johnson declared, “Any Democrat who is concerned about regaining the trust and respect of the American people should join House Republicans in this effort.”
The censure resolution passed with a 224-198 vote, with only ten Democrats supporting it and two voting “present.” Before Johnson could deliver the formal censure, Green and fellow party members interrupted by singing “We shall overcome,” forcing a brief recess.
A subsequent CNN/SSRS poll revealed that 80% of viewers found Green’s disruption “inappropriate.”
