Washington — Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene issued a strong statement on Tuesday, reiterating her intention to remove Speaker Mike Johnson. In a scathing letter, she criticized his leadership and is actively seeking support from fellow Republicans for his potential ousting.
The detailed five-page letter does not specify the timeline for a floor vote on Johnson's removal, as per a document obtained by CBS News. However, it coincides with lawmakers' return from a recent recess and adds to the mounting pressure on Johnson to address Ukraine aid, a stance vehemently opposed by Greene.
"Mike Johnson's sudden shift to prioritize funding for Ukraine is in stark contrast to his position less than 7 months ago," stated the Georgia Republican. "The majority of Americans believe that securing our border should take precedence in any conflict, a sentiment I wholeheartedly share."
Controversy Erupts Within Republican Party
Representative Greene set the stage last month for a potential shakeup within the party, targeting Speaker Johnson for his collaboration with Democrats on a $1.2 trillion spending bill. Greene's move to call for Johnson's removal was described as a "warning" rather than an immediate action to avoid further disruption in the Republican-led House.
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In a scathing letter, Greene criticized Johnson's leadership, accusing him of betraying the GOP by working with Democrats and bypassing procedural norms to pass significant legislation. She expressed her refusal to accept Johnson's alignment with the Democrats and claimed that his actions are jeopardizing the Republican majority.
"I will not tolerate our elected Republican Speaker Mike Johnson serving the Democrats and the Biden administration," Greene wrote. "He is throwing our own majority into chaos by not prioritizing the interests of the GOP conference that elected him."
Greene also highlighted that Johnson's decisions have alienated the Republican base, potentially undermining support for the party in future elections. She warned against what she perceived as misguided Republican leadership and suggested that any victory in the upcoming House elections would be attributed solely to President Trump's presence on the ballot.
But Greene's Republican colleagues have so far shown little appetite for ousting another speaker. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California was removed from the role in October in a historic vote that engulfed Republicans in chaos for weeks as they struggled to coalesce around a new leader.
Since then, their majority has narrowed, forcing Johnson to turn to Democrats to get legislation across the finish line amid fractures in his own party.
Johnson, meanwhile, has tried to downplay the tension. In a statement last week, the GOP leader said he respects the Georgia congresswoman, but they "have honest differences on strategy sometimes."
"She will always have an open door to the Speaker's office," he said.
Greene also criticized Johnson in a town hall in Georgia on Monday night, noting it's been a "tough year" for Republicans amid "bitter battles with one another."
"Am I angry? Yes," she told constituents at the town hall. "My question to you is, are you angry?"
