It might have been less than ideal timing for President Trump to tell Congress that “America’s momentum is back.” Just moments before his declaration, the stock market nearly dipped into correction territory, driven by significant concerns over his startling decision to impose tariffs on what were once two of America’s closest allies. While he proclaimed that “our confidence is back,” the consumer confidence index, as measured by the Conference Board, showed a decline not seen since August 2021.
The consequences of Trump’s tumultuous first month back in office were reflected in the heated reactions from the Democrats on the House floor. During the early moments of his speech, many booed and jeered, especially when Trump made a dubious claim about having a strong mandate due to his supposed lead in the popular vote. In reality, he didn’t surpass 50 percent and his margin over Kamala Harris was less than 1.5 percentage points. Some Democrats brandished signs with messages like “Musk steals,” “No king,” and “Save Medicaid,” while others wore pink as a symbol of protest.
Representative Al Green from Texas added to the uproar by shouting at the podium and refusing Speaker Mike Johnson’s order to sit down. Eventually, both Green and Johnson got the dramatic spectacle when the Speaker had Green removed from the chamber. This marked a modern-day first, reflecting how extraordinary this term has been.
For years, dramatic outbursts have become more common during presidential addresses to Congress. Back in 2009, Joe Wilson of South Carolina accused Barack Obama of lying; in 2020, Nancy Pelosi famously tore up Trump’s State of the Union address; and both Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert heckled President Joe Biden in 2022 and 2023.
However, this particular speech, laden with distortions, misinformation, and blatant falsehoods from the president, seemed to provoke the coldest response from the opposition seen in decades. Carl Hulse, a veteran congressional correspondent for The Times, noted that he had never observed such a striking divide between the president and the opposition upon his entrance. Having covered Congress myself, I can’t recall witnessing such intense anger stirred by Trump among House members.
Unsurprisingly, Trump appeared to welcome the ire, fueling it by denouncing Biden as the worst president in history and labeling Democratic policies as “insane.” It’s challenging to sit quietly when the president is unilaterally dismissing thousands of government workers and intentionally risking ties with longstanding allies in Europe and North America over Ukraine and tariffs. It’s also difficult not to speak out when Trump absurdly claims he will balance the budget, even as his proposed tax cuts threaten to inflate the deficit to unprecedented levels.
Democrats have spent weeks in turmoil over how to respond to Trump’s relentless undermining of American institutions. Republicans will likely argue that Democrats displayed disrespect, and it’s debatable whether such in-chamber demonstrations effectively counter the barrage. Still, it’s hard to fault those who couldn’t contain themselves amid the flood of misinformation, especially for those haunted by the memories of what transpired in that very room in 2021, when members had to seek refuge from violence incited by the president’s supporters. It seems decorum has become a relic of the past.
