10 Democrats Join MAGA to Censure Rep Al Green

Rep Al Green of Texas was the 1 Democrat willing to get in Good Trouble & condemn Trump's plan to gut $880B from Medicaid—his reward is public censure...from fellow Democrats

This piece will upset some of my readers. But I ask you to read all the way through anyway.

Because my job as a human rights lawyer is not to appease with comfortable lies that enable injustice, but to speak uncomfortable truths and uphold justice above all else—certainly above political parties. The hard truth is that while our Republic is at stake, Democrats are asleep at the wheel. And if we have any hope of surviving this onslaught of fascism, Democrats need to get their house in order—and what happened this week is a perfect example of what I mean. Let’s Address This.

Rep Al Green Protests Trump’s fascism and plan to gut Medicaid by $880B. Creator: J. Scott Applewhite | Credit: APCopyright: Copyright 2025 The Associated Press.

With Democrats Like These, Who Needs MAGA?

We expected to face stiff opposition from MAGA Republicans hell bent on gutting Medicaid for 80 million Americans—but we didn’t expect Democrats to join MAGA. Yet, that’s what happened yesterday when 10 corporate Democrats joined a unanimous MAGA caucus to censure Rep Al Green (TX) for getting in good trouble and confronting Donald Trump during his address to the joint session of Congress. With Democrats willing to do Trump’s bidding for him, who needs Republicans?

If you read my now viral piece fact-checking Trump’s address to the joint session of Congress, you know Trump spent more time lying than breathing, if that’s even possible. Rep Al Green stood up in protest, condemning Trump for his budget bill that guts $880B from Medicaid. A reminder that in addition to the 80 million Americans rely on Medicaid to live, 41% of babies born are born because Medicaid made health insurance affordable. Every member of Congress knows these facts—only Rep Al Green was willing to get in Good Trouble to demand accountability.

And for that act of courage, Rep Green’s fellow Democrats stabbed him in the back.

Speaker Johnson immediately had Rep Al Green removed—even though Johnson had no objection in past sessions as Reps of his MAGA Caucus, Rep Boebert and Rep MT Greene loudly heckled President Biden. That hypocrisy notwithstanding, the following day Speaker Johnson held a censure vote to condemn Rep Al Green’s courage. It is unsurprising that the party who claims to champion free speech is willing to bring the full power of Congress against anyone who dares raise their voice against injustice.

What is surprising, and sad, however, is that 10 Democrats joined the MAGA Caucus to censure Rep Al Green. What’s just as sad is that Democratic leadership then reportedly confronted every Democrat who protested at all, to lecture them on why rules and decorum are important.

Democratic Leadership Must Listen to Voters or Lose Again

I do not know what reality they’re living in. But in case they were unaware, we are facing an existential crisis to our Republic with a fascist in the White House who is laying the groundwork to commit war crimes, has control of the House, the Senate, the Supreme Court, and the backing of every major tech billionaire oligarch in the country. And rather than present any form of a comprehensive plan to counter this impending demise of our democracy—Democratic leadership is lecturing the very Democrats sounding the alarm about rules and decorum. Unbelievable.

And worst of all, they think this strategy is popular with voters. In reality, a new Quinnipiac University poll found that at 21%, Democrats have the lowest approval rating in history, while at 40%, Republicans have the highest approval in history.

The stubbornness and refusal to change will do nothing but contribute to our Republic’s collapse.

The Democratic strategy hasn’t worked, and voters are telling them it hasn’t worked. Democrats need to either listen to voters, or expect to lose election after election. We must make them listen, and while I loathe to spend precious time having to remind Democrats about why democracy matters, justice demands we continue to speak truth to power no matter what. So here’s today’s call to action.

Remind Democrats that Fascism is Bad and Democracy is Good

Here are the 10 Democrats who voted with MAGA to censure Rep Al Green for loudly rebuking Trump's fascist plan to gut Medicaid:

•Ami Bera (CA) 202-225-5716

•Jim Costa (CA) 202-225-3341

•Jim Himes (CT) 202-225-5541

•Jared Moskowitz (FL) 202-225-3001

•Ed Case (HI) 202-225-2726

•Laura Gillen (NY) 202-225-5516

•Tom Suozzi (NY) 202-225-3335

•Marcy Kaptur (OH) 202-225-4146

•Chrissy Houlahan (PA) 202-225-4315

•Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA) 202-225-3536

It was bad enough that they did not have the courage to do anything more than hold up a silly sign or dress in pink to protest Trump’s fascism, but to tear down the one single Democrat willing to get into Good Trouble to oppose fascism? Spineless. I encourage you to contact each office and let them know you do not approve of them censuring a fellow Democrat for standing up to Trump, and that you want to see them actually fight for our Republic, rather than join MAGAs in beating our Republic to death. Remind them that their cowardice is why Democrats currently have the worst approval rating in history, while the fascist they’re supposed to oppose has an approval rating more than double theirs.

AND FINALLY, I also encourage you to call Rep Al Green's office at (202) 225-7508. Call and thank him for standing up for Medicaid and against fascism. It is critically important we let our elected officials know when we are proud of them. To his immense credit, despite the censure, Rep Al Green stated he would protest Trump again given the opportunity to do so. We need more Al Green’s in Congress.

Conclusion

This following statement should not upset anyone committed to justice: Democrats cannot afford to play by outdated rules while Republicans wage an all-out assault on democracy. The censure of Rep Al Green is more than just a betrayal—it’s a symptom of a party that refuses to recognize the urgency of this moment. Fascism does not care for decorum, and history will not look kindly on those who stood by in silence. We must demand better of our elected officials, and call them to uphold justice above all else. If Democrats want to remain relevant, they must stop policing their own and start fighting for the people who elected them. Call your representatives. Demand courage. Justice is not passive—it requires action, and the time to act is now.