Several House Democrats walk out of Trump speech mid-address

Several Democrats stood up and exited the chamber during President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, protesting his administration's actions after six weeks in office.

The first group of Democrats to walk out included Reps. Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Maxwell Frost (Fla.), Melanie Stansbury (New Mexico), LaMonica McIver (N.J.) and Lateefah Simon (Calif.).

A few removed their outer business wear to reveal black t-shirts with messages to the president on their backs.

Frost’s shirt said “No Kings live here” while others read “RESIST” in bold white letters.

“Donald Trump is many things – a liar, a grifter, a wanna-be-dictator – but no matter how hard he tries and how many Republicans in Congress bend the knee and kiss the ring: he will never be king,” Frost said in a statement. 

“Tonight, the American people saw a desperate liar stand in front of a podium and spit out excuse after excuse as to why he hasn’t been able to make your life better,” he added.

After they stormed out, House Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.) moved up a few rows to claim the vacated seats.

Rep. Nancy Mace also applauded their decision to depart in a post on X. 

“Jasmine Crockett and Maxwell Frost just left. I love when the trash takes itself out,” Mace wrote. 

As the speech continued for more than an hour, Democrats continued to pour out.

Democrats who left included Reps. Mark Pocan (Wisc.), Lloyd Doggett (Texas), Judy Chu (Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Veronica Escobar (Texas), Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Jamie Raskin (Md.) and Jared Huffman (Calif.).

Earlier, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was escorted out of the House chamber at Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) command after he interrupted Trump's address and refused to sit down.

Other protests continued within the chamber, as a group of Democrats held signs that read “save Medicaid” and “Musk steals” during Trump’s remarks.

Updated at 11:19 p.m.