During a State of the Union address on the 24th, Democratic Congressman Al Green was removed from the chamber after he displayed a message reading, "Black people are not monkeys!" This act of protest was in response to a controversial video shared by President Trump that depicted former President Obama and Michelle Obama in a derogatory manner, resembling primates. Following his ejection, Green emphasized that Trump should apologize for his actions during an interview with CNN.

Al Green, representing Texas's 9th district, stood silently and displayed the message as soon as Trump entered the chamber. Reports indicate that Republican members of Congress positioned themselves in front of Green to obscure his message from both Trump's view and the cameras, attempting to minimize the impact of the protest. Despite the disruptive nature of the event, Trump continued his speech, thanking those around him and dismissing the protest.

This incident follows a broader pattern of controversy surrounding Trump's use of racially charged imagery and language. Earlier in the month, Trump had shared an altered image on social media that drew criticism for its racial insensitivity. Although he later deleted the video, he maintained that he had done nothing wrong, indicating a refusal to apologize. The protest in Congress raises questions about the intersection of political rhetoric and race, particularly in the context of the current political climate in the U.S.