Rep. Al Green Escorted Out During Trump’s State Of The Union for ‘Black People Are Not Apes’ Banner

Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was escorted out of the House chamber on Tuesday as President Trump began his State of the Union address. The Congressman was holding a sign that read, “BLACK PEOPLE AREN’T APES” as Trump entered the room.

Following Green's display, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) approached him regarding the sign, while Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) attempted to seize it, though Green resisted. Security personnel subsequently removed the Texas Democrat from the chamber, amidst applause from Republican members. Rep. Pat Fallon (R-Texas) intervened to restrain Nehls during the incident.

Green explained to The Hill that his sign referred to a deleted clip featuring Trump that illustrated former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. “The President has depicted Black people, two prominent Black people, as apes. That cannot go unnoticed,” Green stated.

He further commented, “It’s an insult to the President, the First Lady, and me as a Black person. I wanted him to know that someone had the courage to confront him directly.”

On being removed, Green expressed no surprise, asserting, “On certain issues, it’s sometimes more honorable to stand alone than to remain silent.”

This incident marks another occasion of confrontation between Green and Trump in Congress. Last March, Green had pointed his walking cane at the president during another speech, resulting in Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) ordering his removal. Subsequently, the House censured Green in a vote largely along party lines.