Juana Summers

This episode was produced by Connor Donovan. It was edited by Courtney Dorning. And the story of the business owner at the top of this episode came from reporting by NPR's Scott Horsley. Our executive producer is Sammy Annigan. It's Consider This from NPR. I'm Juana Summers.

Heckling a president during a speech isn't new. What was unprecedented Tuesday night as President Trump addressed the nation in a joint session of Congress was a lawmaker being escorted out for such heckling. We won the popular vote by big numbers and won counties in our country.

Heckling a president during a speech isn't new. What was unprecedented Tuesday night as President Trump addressed the nation in a joint session of Congress was a lawmaker being escorted out for such heckling. We won the popular vote by big numbers and won counties in our country.

Heckling a president during a speech isn't new. What was unprecedented Tuesday night as President Trump addressed the nation in a joint session of Congress was a lawmaker being escorted out for such heckling. We won the popular vote by big numbers and won counties in our country.

Texas Democratic Representative Al Green stood up after Trump said voters gave them a mandate when they elected him last fall. Green waved his cane as he yelled at the president. You don't have a mandate to cut Medicaid. House Speaker Mike Johnson gave warnings.

Texas Democratic Representative Al Green stood up after Trump said voters gave them a mandate when they elected him last fall. Green waved his cane as he yelled at the president. You don't have a mandate to cut Medicaid. House Speaker Mike Johnson gave warnings.

Texas Democratic Representative Al Green stood up after Trump said voters gave them a mandate when they elected him last fall. Green waved his cane as he yelled at the president. You don't have a mandate to cut Medicaid. House Speaker Mike Johnson gave warnings.

And when that didn't work, Green was removed from the House chamber.

And when that didn't work, Green was removed from the House chamber.

And when that didn't work, Green was removed from the House chamber.

This was one of several ways Democrats protested the president's speech last night. They also held signs throughout the speech with phrases like that's a lie or Musk steals. Many wore pink to try to make a statement. Some walked out during the speech. Others skipped the event altogether.

This was one of several ways Democrats protested the president's speech last night. They also held signs throughout the speech with phrases like that's a lie or Musk steals. Many wore pink to try to make a statement. Some walked out during the speech. Others skipped the event altogether.

This was one of several ways Democrats protested the president's speech last night. They also held signs throughout the speech with phrases like that's a lie or Musk steals. Many wore pink to try to make a statement. Some walked out during the speech. Others skipped the event altogether.

This has been some Democrats approach to Trump's first six weeks in office as he's aimed to slash the federal workforce, tested the separation of powers and reshaped the global order. Democrats don't control any of the levers of power, so they protest. But we also saw a different approach Tuesday night.

This has been some Democrats approach to Trump's first six weeks in office as he's aimed to slash the federal workforce, tested the separation of powers and reshaped the global order. Democrats don't control any of the levers of power, so they protest. But we also saw a different approach Tuesday night.

This has been some Democrats approach to Trump's first six weeks in office as he's aimed to slash the federal workforce, tested the separation of powers and reshaped the global order. Democrats don't control any of the levers of power, so they protest. But we also saw a different approach Tuesday night.

For their response to Trump's address, Democrats chose a senator who won last November in a state that Trump carried. Alyssa Slotkin is a centrist from Michigan. She framed Trump's agenda as an attack on the middle class.

For their response to Trump's address, Democrats chose a senator who won last November in a state that Trump carried. Alyssa Slotkin is a centrist from Michigan. She framed Trump's agenda as an attack on the middle class.

For their response to Trump's address, Democrats chose a senator who won last November in a state that Trump carried. Alyssa Slotkin is a centrist from Michigan. She framed Trump's agenda as an attack on the middle class.

But she also said Republicans and Democrats should work together to fix America's immigration system. She cited Ronald Reagan approvingly. And even agreed with Trump that the government should run more efficiently, though she strongly criticized his, quote, chaotic approach. It was a speech aimed squarely at moderates.