House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that he "probably could have" requested more Democratic representatives to leave the chamber during the State of the Union address on the evening of February 24, following numerous instances of protest during President Trump’s speech.
Speaking to Newsmax on the morning of February 25, Johnson described some of the conduct in the chamber as "shameful." He noted that he had considered ejecting additional members but decided against it, believing the public needed to witness the events in their entirety.
Throughout the speech, several Democratic lawmakers reacted loudly, including Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Representative Al Green was ordered to leave the chamber by the Sergeant-at-Arms after displaying a banner and refusing to sit down as requested.
President Trump responded to the opposition several times during his address, particularly when some members remained seated during sections emphasizing border security and the protection of American citizens. Trump directly criticized these actions from the podium.
Johnson suggested that the Democrats' reactions would become a significant political factor in the future, especially ahead of the midterm elections. He warned that if Republicans lose their House majority, President Trump’s agenda would face major obstacles.
This year's State of the Union was recorded as the longest speech ever delivered by a sitting president to the U.S. Congress.
Source: New York Post, Newsmax, U.S. Congressional statements.
