U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, previously a staunch supporter of Donald Trump who has now become a vocal critic of the president, announced her resignation from Congress effective in January. Greene, in a video exceeding 10 minutes in duration shared online, elaborated on her decision, stating that she has always been met with disdain in Washington, D.C., and never truly integrated.
Her decision to resign came after a public fallout with Trump in recent times, during which Greene openly criticized him on various issues, including his stance on files related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, foreign policy matters, and healthcare. Trump, in response, labeled her a “traitor” and “wacky,” expressing his intention to support a different candidate against her in the upcoming re-election campaign.
Despite having a close affiliation with the Republican president since the inception of her political career in 2020, Greene emphasized her enduring loyalty to Trump, except on certain topics, arguing that it was unjust for him to attack her for holding dissenting opinions. She stressed the importance of reciprocal loyalty and the ability for representatives to vote according to their conscience to serve their constituents effectively.
Initially rising to prominence as a key figure in Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement, Greene quickly became a controversial figure in Capitol Hill due to her unconventional views. While facing opposition from party leaders for her alignment with the QAnon conspiracy theory and association with white supremacists, she found support from Trump, who praised her as “a real WINNER!”
Although initially viewed as an outsider due to her unorthodox beliefs, Greene proved herself as an adept legislator over time, aligning with then-GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, who later became House Speaker. However, following McCarthy’s removal in 2023, Greene’s influence waned.
In response to Greene’s resignation announcement, Trump hailed the news as “great news for the country” in an interview with ABC News. Representative Thomas Massie, a close ally of Greene in the House, commended her as embodying the ideal traits of a true representative. Meanwhile, Barbara Comstock, a former Republican House member and Trump critic, praised Greene’s decision on social media, applauding her for standing up against abuse and threats to maintain integrity.
On the opposing side, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Greene’s public shift from a Trump loyalist to a critic, pointing out a perceived inconsistency between her rhetoric and actions. Ocasio-Cortez highlighted Greene’s voting record on healthcare and corruption issues, suggesting a discrepancy between her words and legislative choices.