Republican lawmakers continue to criticize Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene for her threat to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Multiple GOP House members denounced Greene’s plan to introduce a motion to vacate against Johnson for pushing foreign aid bills, including a $61 billion package to Ukraine. Nebraska Rep. Dan Bacon called Greene’s move “disgusting,” stating that “98 percent of us” share this sentiment.
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Credits: NBC News)
Greene announced her intention to force a vote on Johnson’s removal next week. However, with the GOP’s one-seat majority, any motion to vacate would require full support from House Republicans and assistance from Democrats.
Democratic House leaders have pledged to oppose Johnson’s removal, aiming to counter “MAGA extremism” and prevent a recurrence of the chaos following Kevin McCarthy’s ousting last October.
Johnson criticized Greene for her threat, questioning her seriousness as a lawmaker without sufficient votes. Other Republican figures also criticized Greene’s actions, labeling them as doomed to fail.
Tennessee’s Andy Ogles and Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Ordern dismissed Greene’s move as a distraction and a mistake, emphasizing the need for serious governance.
Matt Gaetz, who led the previous attempt to vacate McCarthy, refused to support Greene’s initiative, fearing damage to the GOP’s reputation. Greene, undeterred by criticism, declared indifference to her colleagues’ opinions, expressing her disillusionment with Johnson’s performance as speaker.
Marjorie Taylor Greene (Credits: Newsweek)
Greene’s office was contacted for further comment. Only Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and Arizona’s Paul Gosar voiced support for Greene’s motion to vacate against Johnson. Massie highlighted the choice facing members between traditional bipartisanship and what he termed the “Uniparty” represented by Johnson’s retention.
House Democrats reiterated their opposition to Greene’s motion, citing their commitment to bipartisanship and resistance against MAGA extremism. They emphasized the need to turn the page on Republican obstruction and focus on national security.
The standoff underscores the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the challenges of governance in a closely divided Congress. Greene’s defiance reflects the ongoing struggle for control and ideological dominance within the GOP, while Democrats seek to maintain their agenda among Republican infighting.
