In a recent face-to-face meeting, a top Republican National Committee (RNC) official, Michael Whatley, urged Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene not to proceed with her plans to challenge Speaker Mike Johnson.
The meeting took place after Greene publicly accused Johnson of making a “slimy back room deal” with Democrats and pledged to force a vote to oust him. Whatley emphasized the importance of party unity and expressed concerns that internal conflict could harm efforts to expand and strengthen the Republican majority in the House.
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Credits: Newsweek)
Despite Whatley’s message, Greene pushed back, arguing that the party could rebound from a leadership change before the election. She also claimed to have spoken with former President Donald Trump, suggesting that he shared similar sentiments.
However, Greene’s threats to challenge Johnson have led to a potential lose-lose situation for her: backing down could make her appear weak, while standing firm risks a rift with Trump.
Greene announced plans to proceed with the vote on Johnson, prompting a response from him, where he criticized her actions as harmful to the Republican Conference and the country. The effort to remove Johnson is expected to fail, with Democrats likely to vote alongside most Republicans to keep him in place.
Greene’s actions have strained her standing within the House Republican conference, with growing discontent over her disruptive behavior. Some Republicans are frustrated that instead of capitalizing on messaging opportunities, Greene’s actions are dragging the party into internal conflicts.
Mike Johnson (Credits: The Hill)
Whatley emphasized the importance of party unity in a statement, stating that defeating Democrats in November is the top priority. However, there are concerns within the Trump-aligned orbit about Greene’s lack of political discipline, with suggestions that she may face consequences if she continues to defy party leadership.
Despite potential repercussions, Greene’s ally defended her, highlighting her strong support among grassroots Republicans and her fundraising abilities. However, some senior GOP officials suggest that Greene risks being sidelined if she does not align with party goals.
