Former CNN host Don Lemon was removed from the Capitol building on Tuesday after joining a group of anti-Trump activists who entered Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s office demanding a meeting with the Georgia congresswoman. The incident resulted in a tense confrontation with Greene’s staff and Capitol Police intervention.
The group, led by Carlos Alvarez, founder of American Opposition, entered Greene’s office with Lemon documenting the exchange with a microphone. Alvarez told Greene’s staff they wanted to ensure the congresswoman knew they needed to get President Donald Trump impeached and removed from office, referencing protests and Tesla boycotts his organization had initiated.
A Greene staffer entered the room and instructed the group to stop recording, informing them the office was private property. When Alvarez pushed back saying they were there to see the congresswoman, the staffer explained they were not residents of Greene’s northwest Georgia district and had not requested a formal meeting through proper channels.
The confrontation escalated when Alvarez argued that recording in the office was a First Amendment right. The staffer firmly rejected this claim, particularly regarding photographing the private office space. Alvarez then asserted that Greene’s staff worked for them, to which the staffer responded that they worked for the people of northwest Georgia.
During the exchange, Lemon supported the group’s position by mentioning they were American citizens, suggesting they had a right to speak with Greene. The former CNN anchor, who now hosts a YouTube show, stood beside Alvarez throughout the confrontation.
The situation reached its conclusion when Greene’s staffer ushered the group out of the office and closed the door. Video footage captured members of the activist group making obscene gestures at the closed door, with one participant heard calling the staff members “Nazis.” A Capitol Police officer subsequently told the group to quiet down following their ejection from the office.
Greene later accused Lemon and the group of harassing her staff. The congresswoman has previously stated she receives the most death threats in Congress, at times exceeding even those received by Speaker Johnson. She has expressed frustration with what she characterizes as disruptive protests that interfere with events for her constituents.
This incident comes amid Greene’s broader expressions of frustration with Washington politics and her own party. The Georgia representative has recently voiced discontent with the Republican Party’s direction, telling media outlets she feels the GOP has turned its back on America First principles and regular Americans. She has described herself as “sick and tired” of the party’s current trajectory.
Greene has been particularly critical of party leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson, whom she believes has failed to champion core MAGA movement issues. She has advocated for ending all foreign aid, which she characterizes as bribes to many recipient nations, and has called for significant budget cuts and a balanced budget amendment.
The congresswoman has indicated she is now pursuing her legislative priorities independently, including bills to prevent cloud-seeding and establish English as the official language. Despite winning her last election with 64 percent of the vote, polling suggests a potential statewide Senate run would face significant challenges, with one survey showing her trailing by 17 points.
Greene has ruled out a Senate bid for 2026, stating in May that she was not running. She cited frustrations with the Senate’s effectiveness, noting that even with good Republicans in the chamber, meaningful change remains elusive. Instead, she has chosen to focus on her constituents and her vision for the Republican Party’s future direction.
The confrontation with Lemon’s group highlights ongoing tensions surrounding Greene’s office operations and her contentious relationship with protesters and political opponents. The incident demonstrates the challenges faced by controversial political figures in managing public access while maintaining office security and staff safety in the current political climate.
