'This is not normal': Who held up the protest sign before Trump's speech?
(NEXSTAR) – As President Donald Trump entered the room Tuesday night, preparing to address both houses of Congress, he shook hands with Republicans lined up to see him. Just over the president's shoulder you may have spotted a small, handwritten sign. It read, "This is NOT Normal," in black ink.
The sign was held up by Rep. Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat representing New Mexico's 1st District in the House of Representatives, which covers the Albuquerque area.
A few seconds later, as Trump makes his way down the line of supporters, you can see the sign ripped out of Stansbury's hands by Lance Gooden, a House Republican from Texas. Stansbury continues to stand, not clapping, as Trump makes his way toward the dais.
Stansbury, a New Mexico native, first took national office in 2021, filling a seat vacated when Rep. Deb Haaland was tapped as former President Joe Biden's Secretary of Interior.
Before joining the House of Representatives, she served in the state legislature as a Senate committee staffer and in the White House Office of Management and Budget. Her platform positions include protecting natural resources, fighting climate change and addressing food insecurity.
Since Trump took office in January, Stansbury has advocated for containing the measles outbreak (which is growing in New Mexico) and protecting programs serving Native American tribes.
Stansbury wasn't the only Democrat to protest Trump's speech. Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was removed from the chamber by the House sergeant-at-arms after he stood up and heckled the president during his remarks.
Another group of House Democrats turned their backs during the speech, revealing messages directed at the president written on the backs of their black t-shirts. Some read "RESIST" and another said "No Kings live here," the Hill reported. They then walked out of the chamber of their own accord.
As the speech went on for more than an hour, other Democrats also left the room. The remarks ultimately clocked in at 99 minutes.
Topics
-
New Mexico Democrat says 'This is not normal' sign at Trump address was 'an SOS to the world'
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said during an interview that her “This is not normal” sign she held up near President Trump right before his Tuesday night speech to Congress was an “SOS to the ...The Hill - 2h -
It’s Hard Not to Protest a Speech Like Trump’s Congress Speech
Democrats have spent weeks hand-wringing over how to respond to Trump’s machine-gunning of American institutions.The New York Times - 1d -
House tees up final vote to censure Al Green for protest at Trump speech
The House on Wednesday teed up a final vote on a resolution to censure Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) for disrupting President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress. The chamber voted 209-211-1 ...The Hill - 7h -
Here’s How Democrats Are Protesting Trump’s Speech to Congress
Many Democrats are taking guests who they say have been hurt by Elon Musk’s gutting of the federal bureaucracy. Several others will skip the speech and host counterprogramming, such as live ...The New York Times - 1d -
MSNBC host on Democrats at Trump speech: ‘The signs are not landing’
MSNBC host Symone Sanders Townsend criticized Democrats who protested at President Trump’s joint address to Congress by holding up signs, arguing the visuals “are not landing.” Democratic lawmakers ...The Hill - 15h -
Watch Live: Trump's speech before a joint session of Congress
President Trump is addressing a joint session of Congress and the nation in his first speech to lawmakers since he took office six weeks ago.CBS News - 1d -
Democrats' silent protests of Trump speech overshadowed by one outburst
While Rep. Al Green was escorted out after an outburst, his Democratic colleagues largely opted for quieter forms of opposing Trump during his speech to Congress.NBC News - 1d -
Democrats disrupt, protest and wear pained expressions for Trump’s speech
House Democrats greeted President Trump’s return to Congress on Tuesday with a spirited series of disruptive protests – and a number of painful looks as they suffered through an address in which ...The Hill - 1d -
Congressman Al Green of Texas removed from Trump's speech amid protest
Speaker Mike Johnson repeatedly urged Rep. Al Green to take his seat before directing the sergeant at arms to "restore order" and "remove this gentleman from the chamber."CBS News - 1d
More from The Hill
-
Walz calls Trump address 'reality TV'
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Wednesday slammed President Trump’s address to Congress in an interview on CNN, referring to the speech as “reality TV.” “Look, it was what I expected, it was reality ...The Hill - 1h -
New Mexico Democrat says 'This is not normal' sign at Trump address was 'an SOS to the world'
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said during an interview that her “This is not normal” sign she held up near President Trump right before his Tuesday night speech to Congress was an “SOS to the ...The Hill - 2h -
House Republicans gush over DOGE in meeting with Musk
Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk met with House Republicans Wednesday night to update them on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as the newly created group takes ...The Hill - 3h -
Is Social Security money going to 'millions' of people listed as old as 149?
Trump drew laughs during his congressional address Tuesday when he alleged that the Social Security Administration (SSA) had millions of beneficiaries listed at 140 years of age and older. But is ...The Hill - 3h -
GOP lawmaker holding town hall despite advice to avoid them: 'I trust my constituents'
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) said Wednesday he’s holding a town hall despite House Republicans being recently pushed to avoid in-person town halls and do phone or livestreamed ones instead. “I'm ...The Hill - 3h
More in Politics
-
Walz calls Trump address 'reality TV'
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) on Wednesday slammed President Trump’s address to Congress in an interview on CNN, referring to the speech as “reality TV.” “Look, it was what I expected, it was reality ...The Hill - 1h -
New Mexico Democrat says 'This is not normal' sign at Trump address was 'an SOS to the world'
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) said during an interview that her “This is not normal” sign she held up near President Trump right before his Tuesday night speech to Congress was an “SOS to the ...The Hill - 2h -
House Republicans gush over DOGE in meeting with Musk
Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk met with House Republicans Wednesday night to update them on work done by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as the newly created group takes ...The Hill - 3h -
Is Social Security money going to 'millions' of people listed as old as 149?
Trump drew laughs during his congressional address Tuesday when he alleged that the Social Security Administration (SSA) had millions of beneficiaries listed at 140 years of age and older. But is ...The Hill - 3h -
GOP lawmaker holding town hall despite advice to avoid them: 'I trust my constituents'
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) said Wednesday he’s holding a town hall despite House Republicans being recently pushed to avoid in-person town halls and do phone or livestreamed ones instead. “I'm ...The Hill - 3h