Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has announced her plan to call a vote to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, setting the stage for a difficult showdown among her colleagues. Greene, a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump, criticized Republican Party leaders and insisted that Johnson is not fit for the job. She was joined by Rep. Thomas Massie in her effort to remove Johnson from his position.
Despite Greene’s efforts, Democratic leaders have announced that they will provide the votes needed to save Johnson’s job as speaker. Johnson, a staunch conservative, is seen as a potential partner by Democrats who are looking to steer the Republican Party away from far-right influences. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the need to move past the chaos within the GOP and focus on delivering meaningful results for the American people.
Greene’s motion to vacate the speaker’s office has faced opposition from both Democrats and some Republicans. Only a few lawmakers, including Greene, Massie, and Rep. Paul Gosar, have publicly supported the effort to remove Johnson. The turmoil within the Republican Party has left the House at a standstill, with Johnson struggling to maintain unity within his razor-thin majority and relying on Democratic votes to pass important legislation.
Former President Trump has expressed support for Johnson, urging House Republicans to refrain from removing him from his position. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has also backed Johnson, stating that he has done a good job under difficult circumstances. Many House Republicans view Greene’s efforts as a distraction from more pressing priorities, with some calling for a quick resolution to the situation in order to move forward.
While Democratic leaders have pledged to provide the votes necessary to table Greene’s motion, some members of the party have raised concerns about supporting Johnson, particularly due to his involvement in Trump’s legal challenges to the 2020 presidential election. Each lawmaker will have to make their own decision on how to vote on the motion, with party leaders emphasizing that their support for sidelining Greene’s resolution is not an endorsement of Johnson. Future attempts by Republicans to remove the speaker will be considered one step at a time.
