Command the Stage or Cede the Fight

Trump performs, Democrats watch. That’s the problem.

President Trump’s Tuesday night's speech to Congress should have been a moment for Democrats to show strength, conviction, and leadership in the face of his blatant lies and authoritarian bravado. Instead, we got a *photo booth*.

While Trump spun his usual dystopian narrative—filled with grievances and falsehoods—Democrats largely sat in silence. Yes, there were moments of visible disgust, and yes, some lawmakers shook their heads and waved their signs in protest. Eventually, some of them walked out, but none of that mattered when the American people—particularly the ones who still needed convincing that this is all going off the rails—only heard one side. Only one stood up. Texas Democrat Congressman Al Green did what every Democrat in that chamber should have been doing—calling out Trump's lies in real-time. When he interrupted Trump's speech to challenge his false claims of having a mandate over the American people, Green responded and said you don't have a mandate to cut Medicaid. He wasn't spewing partisan insults or engaging in theatrics—he was stating facts. Trump has relentlessly attacked Medicaid, pushed to gut healthcare protections, and misrepresented what Americans actually want. He's betraying his own voters, given that he lied about protecting Medicaid during his campaign. Green was right to call it out. When faced with being censured by the House Republicans, Green said his protest was "worth it to let people know that there are some people who are going to stand up" to Trump. As someone who has stood up to Trump, I salute him.