7 worst State of the Union moments where lawmakers' behavior raised eyebrows

7 eyebrow-raising State of the Union moments where dissent crossed a line

Over the years, the US Congress has earned a bad reputation for the lawmakers' behavior during the annual State of the Union, where the president addresses a joint session of both chambers. Over the past few years, disrespectful behavior has been on the rise at the prestigious Washington, DC event. Congressional members heckling the speech has made its way to television and social media, leaving citizens concerned about their elected officials' behavior in the chamber. Here are seven worst moments of bad behavior at the annual State of the Union.

1: 2005 - Democrat lawmakers boo George W Bush over Social Security

President George W Bush, in his 2005 State of the Union address, made clear his plan to make changes to Social Security, one of the most sensitive programs of US politics. As the Republican president said, "By the year 2042, the entire system would be exhausted and bankrupt," he was met with heavy boos from Congressional Democrats who shouted, "No!" While the disruption might seem tame by present-day standards, it was considered beneath the dignity of Congress in 2005. Weighing in on the booing, CNN commentator Bill Schneider labeled it "unusual," adding that he had "never heard it at least at that level before."

2: 2009 - Joe Wilson yells 'You lie!' at Barack Obama

Barack Obama's 2009 State of the Union address is widely considered to be an example of his strong advocacy for healthcare reform. Soon after he said the health care reform would not cover undocumented immigrants, South Carolina GOP Rep Joe Wilson yelled, "You lie!". However, Obama continued the speech curtly, saying, "It's not true." The viral moment caused Wilson's website to crash, and his Wikipedia page got locked because of "vandalism." Republicans and Democrats also criticized the disrespectful behavior, and the lawmaker later apologized to the White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel.

3: 2010 - Samuel Alito silently disputes Barack Obama's address mouthing 'not true'

In his 2010 SOTU address, Obama criticized the Supreme Court's 'Citizens United' decision that took away longstanding restrictions on independent expenditures by corporations, NGOs, and other organizations in political campaigns. "I don't think American elections should be bankrolled by America's most powerful interests, or worse, by foreign entities," the then-president said. Though the chamber cheered the remark, the SCOTUS justices who passed the verdict sat stone-faced directly in front of the dais. Unfortunately, television cameras caught Justice Samuel Alito, who sided with the majority in the verdict, shaking his head and silently mouthing the words "not true." 

4: 2020 - Nancy Pelosi tears apart Donald Trump's State of the Union speech

One of the worst moments in the State of the Union addresses over the years came from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, showing her rift with ex-president Donald Trump. Soon after Trump completed his 2020 address, Speaker Pelosi stood up, looked over the chamber, and tore his SOTU speech in half. At the same time, the former president was waving at the crowd, oblivious to the shocking act behind him. Republicans labeled this moment as a "new low," while the Speaker defended herself, stating, "It was a manifesto of mistruths." The next day, she told House Democratic caucus members, "He shredded the truth, so I shredded his speech."

5: 2022 -  Lauren Boebert interrupts Joe Biden over Afghanistan

Colorado GOP Rep Lauren Boebert shouted at President Joe Biden during his 2022 State of the Union address. While he was speaking about burn pits legislation and his elder son Beau Biden's fight with brain cancer, Baubert stood up and shouted, "You put them there — 13 of them," referencing the 13 US service members who died during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal. However, her interruption was met with boos from the chamber, with one Democrat shouting, "Kick her out!"

6: 2023 - Marjorie Taylor Greene shouts 'liar' at Joe Biden over Social Security

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene yelled at Biden during his 2023 State of the Union while he accused some Republicans of wanting to "sunset" Social Security and Medicare. The GOP lawmaker shouted at the president, calling him a "liar." The incident sparked an sharp impromptu exchange between Biden and the Republicans, with the former ultimately prevailing.

7: 2024 -  Marjorie Taylor Greene's unusual protest for Laken Riley

Rep Greene again made headlines this year as she attended the joint session of the Congress in a MAGA hat and a t-shirt with the inscription "SAY HER NAME LAKEN RILEY." This was an unusual protest move seeking justice for the University of Georgia student Laken Riley, who was killed by a Venezuelan illegal immigrant. She also heckled Biden's SOTU address by shouting at him, "Say her name!" And Biden did say the name but mispronounced it as "Lincoln" Riley.