The sign was quickly snatched out of her hands and thrown away.
President Trump’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress 2025 (Image: Sky News)
As President Donald Trump entered the House chamber to deliever an address to a joint session of Congress Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M held up a sign that read “This is not normal.”
The sign was quickly snatched out of her hands and thrown away.
Stansbury was first elected to the House in 2021 during a special election to replace then-Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. Stansbury represents a solidly Democratic district. She is also the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee.
It was later revealed that it was Rep. Lance Gooden, R-Texas who grabbed the sign and through it away.
“No one will disrespect President @realdonaldtrump in front of me,” Gooden said on X.
Trump’s Congress speech was also halted as Al Green was thrown out after a brutal four-word chant.
Green stood up as Trump spoke and refused to sit – shouting “he has no mandate” as he waved his cane towards Trump. House Democratic leaders had been urging their members to show restraint during Trump’s speech. Rep. Al Green did not heed that at all. But after the early outburst, most Democrats in the chamber have been silently sitting, holding up small signs that protest Trump’s policies and words.
Trump’s address is an opportunity for Democrats to find some footing in Washington after their election losses last year, but it is also showcasing a debate in the party over whether they should engage in disruptive protests against Trump or establish themselves as focused on governing.
US President Donald Trump speaks during an address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamb (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Democrats also held up small black signs printed with “False” in white lettering. Every time Trump boasted of his accomplishments, they held up the signs. The circular black signs have bold white lettering and include statements “Protect Veterans,” “Save Medicaid” and “Musk Steals.” Some Democrats held the signs higher as the president began his remarks.
Democratic Rep. Gil Cisneros, D-Calif., shouted, “What about the $400 million Tesla contract!” at Trump as the president discussed his cuts to the federal government.
Democrats increasingly groaned, shouted, “Not true!,” “Bull—!” and “Those are lies!” as Trump listed cuts his administration believes it has made to the federal budget.
Wearing the words “Resist” printed on the backs of their shirts, a handful of Democrats turned away from President Trump and exited the House chamber.
Republican members quickly scrambled to fill the chairs they had vacated.
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 04: U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) holds a protest sign with fellow Democr (Image: Getty Images)
Some Democrats were quietly chatting with each other as Trump delivered his remarks.
The caucus was largely silent, save for periodic groans and chuckling throughout Trump’s speech. A contingent of lawmakers continued to hoist protest signs. Other Democrats were on the phones. Republicans were, by contrast, listening attentively to the president’s remarks and frequently cheering.
