President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday did what was expected — but also what the White House appeared intent on provoking: make Republicans laugh and clap, while Democrats grimaced, yelled, or sat in silence as Trump repeatedly forced them into visible moments of defiance.
Hundreds gathered on the floor and in the rafters of the House of Representatives during Trump’s address, which lasted for over two hours. Responses to Trump’s remarks largely fell along party lines, with Democrats repeatedly confronted with moments requiring a public reaction, mostly sitting in silence but a handful heckling, shouting, or storming out as the speech wore on.
In contrast, Republicans cheered and applauded cohesively, not jeering at Democrats but instead calling for “order” if the disruptions went on too long — a contrast that only sharpened as the night progressed.
Trump, for his part, did have a combative tone during most of his speech that appeared calibrated to trigger confrontation with Democrats and daring them to respond.
There were scattered bipartisan moments, with Democrats and Republicans clapping for Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk; the family of deceased National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom; National Guard member Andrew Wolfe; and the United States men’s Olympic hockey team, among other attendees. But even those moments underscored how selectively unity was extended throughout the night.
Republicans, meanwhile, got to clap proudly as Trump presented Wolfe and Beckstrom’s families with the Purple Heart for the shooting that occurred in Washington in November 2025. The president also honored Charlie Kirk and Erika Kirk, calling for everyone to “reject political violence of any kind.”
Al Green strikes again
As Trump was entering the chamber, Rep. Al Green (D-TX) tried to show Trump a sign that said “Black people aren’t apes!” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) tried to rip it down, but Green managed to hold on to it.
A few members of Congress, including Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), went over to speak to Green, asking him to take it down. A member of the House chamber staff also spoke to him. When he refused to put the sign down, he was ejected from the floor.
Green’s ejection was a reoccurrence of Trump’s 2025 joint address to Congress, when the Texas Democrat made headlines for yelling, “You have no mandate” and waving his cane at the president before being escorted out.
As he did last year, Trump ignored Green on Tuesday night — allowing the disruption to stand as its own spectacle without engaging it.
Democrats buck Jeffries’ request of sitting in ‘silent defiance’
While most Democrats adhered to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’s (D-NY) request that the caucus sit in “silent defiance,” a few shouted at Trump or left the chamber over his remarks.
Green was the only lawmaker escorted from the chamber. But members such as Reps. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA) stood up and left the chamber during the president’s speech.
Heckling started out minimal but grew as Trump began talking about his immigration policies and alleged fraud committed by Somalis in Minnesota. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Ilhan Omar (D-MN) called Trump a liar on multiple occasions.
The most explosive moment of the night came when Trump directly challenged Democrats to respond.
When Trump asked members to stand up if they agreed that the “duty of the American government is to protect American citizens, not illegal aliens,” all Democrats stayed seated. Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA) stood up and waved a sign emblazoned with the faces of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, two American citizens killed by federal immigration officers. Tlaib and Omar shouted that he was killing American citizens.
“You should be ashamed of yourself,” Trump said to the Democrats sitting down.
“You killed Alex,” Tlaib yelled.
While progressives were triggered, moderates such as Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) were caught falling asleep during the speech.
“I have always had a hard time staying awake watching reruns,” Suozzi said.
USA men’s Olympics hockey team gets near-unanimous standing ovation
Adorned with their gold medals, members of the USA men’s Olympic hockey team received loud applause from everyone in attendance as they stood in the rafters above Trump.
All Republicans and most Democrats stood, while almost the entire chamber clapped for the players. The athletes themselves smiled and waved, with a few chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” along with Republicans.
Trump praised the team, as well as the U.S. women’s Olympic hockey team, which did not attend but also won the gold medal. He added he would award goaltender Connor Hellebuyck the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Fashion statements
Several on the Democratic side made fashion statements. The Democratic Women’s Caucus sported white outfits, with members telling the Washington Examiner it was to honor the suffragettes.
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Many Democrats were also wearing “Release the files” pins with the word “Epstein” blacked out, a reference to redactions in the files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who is known for donning sweatshirts on the Senate floor, attended Trump’s address in a suit.
