Al Green Tells DHS Secretary Mullin to Shut Up in Hearing

A heated exchange erupted during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on Wednesday when Representative Al Green, a Texas Democrat, repeatedly told Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to “shut up” after Mullin challenged an accusation of racism. The confrontation, which was captured on video and circulated widely online, required the committee chairman to intervene and restore order.

The dispute began when Green, during his allotted questioning time, referenced a previous incident where he was removed from a presidential address to Congress for displaying a sign that read, “Black people aren’t apes.” Holding up a photograph from that event, Green suggested that opposition to such a protest was indicative of racism. “A racist would depict people of color as apes,” Green said. “A racist would take offense at a peaceful protest.”

Secretary Mullin, who was testifying on department funding, interjected to ask if the remark was directed at him. “Are you calling me a racist?” Mullin asked. Green did not directly answer but instead demanded that Mullin stop speaking. “Reclaiming my time. Ask him to shut up,” Green said to the committee chair. As Mullin continued to...