Tensions flared in the House chamber even before former President Donald Trump began his speech to Congress, as a dispute over a protest sign sparked a confrontation between a Republican and a Democrat.
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), positioned along the aisle where Trump entered and greeted lawmakers, held up a handwritten sign reading, “This is not normal.” The message was clearly visible on camera as the former president made his way through the chamber.
Moments later, Rep. Lance Gooden (R-Texas), who had been standing on the opposite side and had just welcomed Trump, reached across the aisle, snatched the sign from Stansbury’s hands, and tossed it aside.
The incident set the stage for a series of protests throughout Trump’s speech. Later, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) openly disrupted the address, prompting Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to instruct the sergeant-at-arms to remove him from the chamber.
The heated exchanges underscored the deep divisions in the chamber, with Democrats making their opposition to Trump’s presence known in various ways throughout the evening .
