Lost amidst the firehose of lies uttered by Donald Trump at his address before Congress March 4, was a New Mexico Democratic congresswoman’s succinct description of the crisis facing the United States: Rep. Melanie Stansbury held a small sign that said, “This Is Not Normal” as Mr. Trump greeted lawmakers upon entering the chamber. That Texas Republican Rep. Lance Gooden ripped the sign from Ms. Stansbury’s hands was not surprising. What is remarkable was that more Democrats didn’t highlight Rep. Stansbury’s message.
Only Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) challenged the president, shouting, “You do not have the mandate to cut Medicaid…” For his efforts, he was censured. Shamefully, 10 Democrats voted with the Republicans. Since 2017, Mr. Green has been sounding the alarm that Donald Trump is not normal, including introducing articles of impeachment. Immediately following the censure vote, progressive colleagues surrounded Mr. Green in the well of the House and sang “We Shall Overcome.”
While there are numerous Democratic leaders, including many governors and attorneys general, standing up to Trump, ultimately, it is we the people who hold the future of democracy in our hands.
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