1. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene threatens to call a vote to oust Speaker Mike Johnson.
2. Some figures in Donald Trump’s orbit find Greene’s actions unhelpful.
3. Greene’s ouster threat could unintentionally make House passage of Ukraine aid more likely.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has threatened to call a vote to oust Speaker Mike Johnson, despite her close ties to Donald Trump. Some within Trump’s orbit have criticized Greene’s actions, calling her behavior unhelpful and a distraction. Trump reportedly does not appreciate the internal fighting among Republicans that Greene’s threats have caused. However, Greene has indicated that she will proceed with the vote if Johnson holds a vote on approving more aid to Ukraine.
Greene’s motion to vacate could inadvertently lead to the House passing Ukraine aid, as several Democrats have said they would oppose her motion if it interferes with aid. No other House Republican has committed to voting for Greene’s motion so far, although some have expressed similar grievances with Johnson. Since becoming speaker, Johnson has taken a more moderate approach, passing government funding bills with more Democratic than Republican support.
Despite facing criticism for her actions, Greene has continued to push forward with her threat to oust Speaker Johnson. Some Republicans argue that Johnson is doing the best he can under difficult circumstances of divided government. Johnson is set to host an event with Trump at Mar-a-Lago on “election integrity,” highlighting the ongoing tensions within the Republican party.