Democrats refused to stand for a 13-year-old cancer survivor during President Trump’s congressional address, sparking outrage across social media and highlighting the increasing partisan divide in America.
Top Takeaways
- Speaker Mike Johnson ordered the Sergeant at Arms to remove Green for breaking House decorum rules.
- Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was forcibly removed from the House chamber after interrupting President Trump’s speech, leading to “USA” chants.
- Democrats remained seated when Trump recognized 13-year-old brain cancer survivor DJ Daniel, who was made an honorary Secret Service agent.
- Democratic protests included wearing pink, holding signs with messages like “NO KING” and “THAT’S A LIE,” with some representatives walking out.
- The speech marked Trump’s first return to the House chamber since the January 6 Capitol riot.
Democratic Protests Disrupt Trump’s Address
President Trump’s joint address to Congress was marred by Democratic protests, most notably when Rep. Al Green of Texas interrupted the speech and was subsequently removed from the chamber by the Sergeant at Arms under orders from Speaker Mike Johnson. The incident triggered chants of “USA” from Republican lawmakers and ignited immediate criticism across social media platforms. Green’s interruption violated long-standing rules of decorum in the House chamber during presidential addresses, which traditionally maintain a level of formality regardless of partisan differences.
Beyond Green’s outburst, Democrats employed various forms of silent protest throughout the address. Over 20 House Democrats displayed signs with messages ranging from “Save Medicaid” to simply “Lies.” Rep. Rashida Tlaib used a whiteboard to display rotating messages including “NO KING” and “THAT’S A LIE,” while Rep. Melanie Stansbury held a sign reading “This is NOT normal” until it was taken by Republican Rep. Lance Gooden. Democratic women coordinated by wearing pink as a protest symbol, while others wore colors representing support for Ukraine.
My biggest takeaway from Trump’s address, is that that the Democrats are completely broken.
The optics could not have been worse.
The Dems have been relegated to holding signs in the corner and pouting, while Trump cleans up the mess THEY created.
They refused to clap even for… pic.twitter.com/Bm8HVeCF4R
— Clandestine (@WarClandestine) March 5, 2025
Cancer Survivor Recognition Reveals Partisan Divide
Perhaps the most controversial moment came when President Trump recognized 13-year-old brain cancer survivor DJ Daniel, making him an honorary Secret Service agent. While Republicans rose in standing ovation, most Democratic lawmakers remained seated, refusing to applaud. This striking visual quickly became a focal point for critics of the Democratic response. Video footage of the chamber showed the stark divide, with Republicans standing and Democrats remaining seated during what would typically be considered a non-partisan moment celebrating a child’s courage in the face of a life-threatening illness.
“A terminally ill child with brain cancer is given an honorary Secret Service award and the Democrats refuse to stand or clap for the child.” – Ric Grennell
The moment turned into a flashpoint on social media, with conservative commentators and politicians highlighting what they viewed as evidence of Democrats allowing partisan politics to overshadow basic human decency. Former Acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell, sports commentator Clay Travis, and conservative activist Scott Pressler were among those who criticized the Democrats’ reaction, suggesting it demonstrated an inability to set aside political differences even to celebrate a child’s victory over cancer.
Words cannot describe how disgusted I am with the Democratic representatives in Congress tonight.
During his speech, President Trump honored a terminally ill child with brain cancer by presenting an honorary Secret Service award.
Yet, the Democrats refused to stand or applaud… pic.twitter.com/dH7aRoezca
— End Tribalism in Politics (@EndTribalism) March 5, 2025
Political Justification for Democratic Response
Some Democrats defended their actions as necessary protest against a president they view as divisive. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, herself a breast cancer survivor, explained that Democratic women wore pink to send “a message to Donald Trump that we’re not going to let him run over our women’s access to health care.” Rep. Ayanna Pressley was among several Democrats who walked out during the speech, later releasing a statement that she “could not in good conscience sit through this speech and give an audience to someone who operates with lawless disregard for Congress.”
“The Democrats are out of control. They are embarrassing themselves. Heckling the President, especially in a forum like this, is not how they will win.” – Ari Fleischer
Former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer described the Democrats as “out of control” and suggested their behavior would not resonate with voters. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called Rep. Green “a disgrace,” while conservative commentator Charlie Kirk praised Speaker Johnson for removing Green, calling the congressman “a clown.” The contrasting reactions highlight the deeply entrenched partisan divide that continues to characterize American politics, even during ceremonial moments that traditionally transcend party lines.
Sources:
- Social media erupts after House Dem Al Green interrupted Trump’s address: ‘Embarrassing themselves’
- Social media explodes after Dems do not stand for 13-year-old cancer survivor: ‘Truly sick people’
- Democrats’ silent protests of Trump speech overshadowed by one outburst
- The Dems’ Reaction to Trump’s Speech Was As Expected, But What Was This?
