Screenshot: MSNBC.com
Pennsylvania Congresswoman Madeleine Dean made headlines last week after a tense on-camera exchange with House Speaker Mike Johnson, pressing him to acknowledge what she called President Donald Trump’s “unhinged” and “unwell” behavior.
The Montgomery County Democrat approached Johnson outside the House chamber last week, which was captured by CNN. Dean said she was alarmed by Trump’s recent remarks to top U.S. military leaders at Quantico, where he demanded applause and urged the military to act against immigrants and American citizens.
“The president is unhinged. He is unwell,” Dean told the Speaker.
Johnson didn’t push back. “A lot of folks on your side are too,” he replied, seemingly agreeing with Dean's statement. “I don’t control him.”
You can watch the exchange here.
Dean, visibly frustrated, warned Johnson that Trump’s rhetoric was dangerous.
“Our allies are looking elsewhere," she said. "Our enemies are laughing."
The exchange grew even sharper when Dean pressed Johnson to condemn a Trump social media post that depicted House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wearing a sombrero and mustache set to mariachi music.
“It’s disgraceful," Dean said. "It’s racist. You should call it out."
Johnson responded, “Is that really racist?” prompting Dean to shoot back, “You put a sombrero on a Black man who’s the leader of the House? You don’t see that as racist?”
The confrontation, captured on video and shared widely on social media, showcased Dean’s willingness to challenge Republican leadership directly as she warned that Trump’s behavior poses risks to both national security and democratic norms.
