Remember when we used to teach kids about respectful behavior? You know, the basics: don’t interrupt when others are speaking, listen politely, and save your objections for the appropriate time. Apparently, those kindergarten lessons never quite stuck with some members of Congress.

The Democratic resistance to President Trump’s second term has taken many forms. From silent protests to walkouts, from social media tirades to legislative obstruction. But some Democrats seem determined to push the boundaries of acceptable behavior in Washington’s hallowed halls.

The Outburst That Crossed the Line

Rep. Al Green wasn’t content with quiet disapproval during President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. The 77-year-old Texas Democrat repeatedly shouted “You have no mandate!” as Trump highlighted Republican victories in the House, Senate, and White House.

Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to take the extraordinary step of having Green removed from the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms. It was a dramatic moment. A line crossed. A display of contempt for the office of the presidency itself.

What’s particularly telling is that Green later admitted his disruption wasn’t a spontaneous emotional outburst. “I heard the speaker when he said that I should cease. I did not, and I did not with intentionality,” Green confessed. “It was not done out of a burst of emotion.”

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer didn’t mince words about the incident: “Al Green’s childish outburst exposed the chaos and dysfunction within the Democrat party since President Trump’s overwhelming win in November and his success in office thus far.”

Bipartisan Rebuke: Democrats Join the Censure

The House moved swiftly to hold Green accountable. They voted to formally censure him for his behavior. In a surprising twist, ten Democrats broke ranks and joined Republicans in the 224-198 vote.

From ‘Fox News’:

“President Trump’s address to Congress was not a debate or a forum; he was invited by the speaker to outline his agenda for the American people. The actions by my colleague from Texas broke the rules of decorum in the House, and he must be held accountable,” Newhouse told Fox News Digital after the vote.

The Democrats who voted for censure included Reps. Ami Bera, Ed Case, Jim Costa, Laura Gillen, Jim Himes, Chrissy Houlahan, Marcy Kaptur, Jared Moskowitz, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, and Tom Suozzi. It’s worth noting that three of these Democrats – Kaptur, Suozzi, and Gluesenkamp Perez – represent districts that Trump won in November.

Protest Songs and Parliamentary Chaos

But the Democratic response to the censure was almost as disruptive as Green’s original outburst. Before the formal censure could be read to Green, Democrats gathered around their colleague and began singing “We Shall Overcome.”

Speaker Johnson tried repeatedly to restore order. He failed. The singing continued. He was forced to call the House into recess. It was like a middle school talent show breaking out in the middle of Congress – minus the talent.

The scene was nothing short of bizarre – elected representatives breaking into protest songs on the House floor while parliamentary proceedings were underway. It’s the kind of behavior that would get you kicked out of a town hall meeting.

Double Standards

The censure of Green marks the 28th time a member of Congress has received this formal rebuke. The incident highlights the glaring double standard in how disruptions are treated depending on party affiliation.

What makes this particularly interesting is that prior to Trump’s address, CNN reports that Democratic leadership had urged members not to mount high-profile protests and to show restraint. They cautioned that such actions could be seized upon by the GOP. Green clearly didn’t get the memo. Or maybe he used it as a paper airplane.

Green has a history of opposition to Trump. He was the first congressman to call for his impeachment back in 2017. Last month, he even filed fresh impeachment articles against the newly re-elected president. His determination to resist Trump’s presidency at every turn is matched only by his apparent disregard for congressional decorum.

The spectacle of Democrats singing protest songs while being called to order reveals just how far some are willing to go in their resistance. It also shows the growing divide within their own party, as moderate members increasingly distance themselves from such tactics.

Key Takeaways:

• Ten Democrats voted with Republicans to censure Rep. Al Green.
• Green shocked Americans by disrupting Donald Trump’s speech.
• Trump has stated Democrats’ antics will cost them elections.

Sources: Fox News, CNN, The Guardian