Firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene became vocal in her demand for Speaker Mike Johnson to step down, threatening that he would lose the gavel one way or another. This came after Greene and a group of far-right Republican rebels were unable to derail a House aide package that included $60.8 billion to assist Ukraine in defending itself from Russia. The incident led to Greene being nicknamed “Moscow Marjorie.” She accused Johnson of betraying the Republican Party, working for the Democrats, and backing the Biden administration’s agenda.
While Greene had previously filed a motion to vacate in March, it was not privileged and did not mandate a vote. Despite her threats, Greene did not force a vote after the House passed the Ukraine aid package, opting instead to give her fellow lawmakers time to contemplate the situation during the upcoming recess. She clarified that she supports the majority and aims to have the majority in 2025, indicating that she is not looking to disrupt the party but rather to bring about change.
Green garnered support from Reps. Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar in publicly backing a motion to vacate, and she expressed her disappointment in Johnson, linking him to a “complete betrayal” on several issues including Ukraine, border security, and government spending. Greene argued that the average American is fed up with both parties and that the GOP needs to start reflecting the will of their voters. She criticized those causing drama and stressed that many people do not want to vote Republican due to a perceived lack of difference between the two main parties.
The vote on the Ukraine aid measure saw most House Republicans against it, with 101 in favor and 112 against. Despite this division, polls show that a majority of Republicans in battleground districts support replenishing aid. Greene continued to accuse Johnson of betraying America and working for the Democrats. The threat of a possible mutiny looms as a few Democrats have considered supporting Johnson, but many have not committed. Johnson, for his part, has declined calls for his resignation, citing the critical time on the world stage and emphasizing the importance of doing the right thing.
Greene refrained from giving a specific timeline for when she might bring up a motion to vacate, while Johnson expressed that history judges them for their actions. He highlighted that many critics among House Republicans refuse to attend classified briefings about Ukraine. The situation in the House escalated with tensions between Greene and Johnson, reflecting the larger divide within the Republican Party and highlighting the struggle for control and leadership among different factions. The outcome remains uncertain as both sides continue to stand their ground and navigate the complex political landscape.
