Mike Johnson Says He Was 'This Close' to Removing Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib for Heckling Trump During SOTU

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was "this close" to ordering Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib escorted off the House floor during President Trump's State of the Union address due to their heckling.

"I mean, the antics were outrageous," Johnson told Fox News on Tuesday. "I came about this close from banging the gavel and having them escorted off the floor. But the president handled it very well. And I thought, you know, let them put that on display."

The disruptions occurred during the first hour of Trump's speech. Democrats had largely remained silent, but the sentiment changed after Trump criticized prior immigration policies and singled out Minnesota, referring to the state's Somali community as an example of alleged fraud.

Omar, who represents a Minnesota district, shouted "you've killed Americans" and told Trump "you should be ashamed." Tlaib also objected from her seat before both lawmakers left the chamber.

Earlier in the address, Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) was escorted out after holding up a protest sign. Johnson said Green was "removed pretty quickly" and added he would leave it to colleagues to decide whether censure was appropriate. "The point of a censure is to bring someone to the House floor and bring shame upon them for their actions," Johnson said. "I think they showed the American people the shame already."

Johnson defended Trump's speech and said Democrats' conduct "brought shame upon their party and upon themselves." He added that Republicans would make fraud a theme in upcoming midterm elections.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer offered a different assessment. Speaking on CNN, Schumer said Trump was "in a bubble" and defended Democrats who interrupted. "Compare what maybe a few Democrats did to what Donald Trump did for the whole speech and it ain't even close," Schumer said. "Who was more out of line? Who was more raucous?"