Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, has announced her intention to call for a vote to vacate Mike Johnson from his House speakership role. Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has faced criticism from Greene after working with Democrats to pass bills to fund the government and secure foreign aid for U.S. allies. Greene’s motion to vacate Johnson has gained support from Representatives Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar, but Democratic leadership has indicated they may help save Johnson’s leadership position. The vote on the motion to vacate is crucial as Johnson can only afford two GOP defectors due to the party’s slim majority.
The House Freedom Caucus, led by Representative Bob Good, has warned that Greene’s efforts to remove Johnson may not be in the best interests of former President Donald Trump, a key ally of Greene. Good cautioned that attempting to oust Johnson just six months before an election may not be a wise move, and suggested that Greene is primarily focused on her own interests rather than those of Trump. Although Greene enjoys Trump’s support, the former president has not signaled his backing for ousting Johnson, and has praised Johnson for his leadership as House speaker.
Good, along with other conservative members of Congress, has criticized Greene’s motion to vacate Johnson, calling it a distraction and a mistake. Greene, known for her outspoken and controversial behavior, has faced backlash from her own party in the past. The Freedom Caucus previously voted to remove Greene from the group due to personal attacks she made against some members. In response to criticism, Greene said she does not care about her colleagues’ opinions and believes Johnson has changed for the worse since becoming speaker.
Despite the backlash against Greene’s efforts, she remains steadfast in her decision to call for the vote to vacate Johnson. She has expressed disappointment in Johnson’s leadership as speaker and believes he has strayed from being a conservative representative. While Greene is known for her loyalty to Trump, the former president has refrained from publicly supporting her motion. The outcome of the vote remains uncertain, as Greene continues to advocate for Johnson’s removal while facing resistance from fellow Republicans and potential intervention from Democratic leadership. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions within the Republican Party and the challenges of navigating internal conflicts leading up to an election.
