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 returning president repeatedly cajoled and mocked them.

All in all, it was an extraordinary display of partisan scuffling even by the standards of the polarized modern era.

The clashes began just minutes into Trump’s joint address to Congress, when Rep. Al Green (D-Texas), a 77-year-old liberal from Houston, stood from his seat and heckled Trump with charges that the president’s proclaimed “mandate” was nothing of the sort.

The outburst prompted Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who was seated on the dais behind Trump, to warn Green to “maintain decorum in the House.” When that didn’t work, he ordered Green to “take your seat.” When that also failed, Johnson directed the House Sergeant at Arms to remove Green from the chamber.

The episode seemed to pain the top Democratic leaders — Reps. Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), Katherine Clark (Mass.) and Pete Aguilar (Calif.) — who have criticized Republicans for occasional outbursts during Democratic speeches, and watched with glum expressions as Green was escorted from the room.

Republicans had a lighter response. They belted out a chorus of “Hey, Hey, Hey — Goodbye.”

It was the most dramatic episode........

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