Last week at Mar-a-Lago, Former President Donald Trump endorsed House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) during a joint press conference, implicitly criticizing Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) for her ongoing threats to remove him from leadership. Despite this show of support for Johnson, Greene remains unwavering in her confrontation with the Speaker, as detailed in a report by CNN’s congressional correspondent Manu Raju.
During an interaction with Raju, when asked whether she would reconsider her efforts to depose Johnson, Greene responded emphatically that she would not. She indicated that the tensions within the party could intensify based on upcoming events, stating, “No, no, and as a matter of fact, there are more people that are probably going to be angry from whatever happens this week.”
Greene’s dissatisfaction with Johnson primarily stems from his handling of foreign aid, particularly regarding Ukraine. Raju noted that Greene had cautioned Johnson against proceeding with Ukraine aid, expressing frustration after a conference meeting. She mentioned that she was still deciding whether Johnson’s approach on this issue would lead her to formally move to vacate his position.
This internal conflict occurs against the backdrop of a broader struggle within the House GOP leadership over the foreign defense aid package, which has been stalled for weeks. The package is meant to provide funding to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. In an attempt to break the impasse, a new proposal has been introduced to divide the aid into four separate bills, some of which may convert the aid into loans instead of outright grants.
The tension in the House reflects the complex dynamics and factional divisions within the Republican Party. The ability of any single member to initiate a motion to remove the speaker, a rule reinstated by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy to secure support from the Freedom Caucus, has intensified the power struggles within the party. McCarthy himself was ousted under this rule, leading to Johnson’s chaotic and contentious rise to the Speakership.
As Greene remains steadfast in her opposition to Johnson, the future of his leadership hangs in the balance, reflecting the ongoing volatility and division within the party. The situation underscores the significant challenges Johnson faces in navigating internal party dynamics while attempting to advance significant legislative priorities, particularly those involving international affairs.