Marjorie Taylor Greene Proceeds with Plan to Remove Johnson

(USNewsMag.com) – On April 8th, Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene sent a letter to her fellow House Republicans criticizing the leadership of House Speaker and Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson.

The letter comes as Greene attempts to build support for a potential floor vote to remove Johnson as speaker, which she may push for as lawmakers return to Washington, D.C. after a two-week recess.

Greene’s letter outlines what she considers Johnson’s failures as House speaker, stating that he has broken legislative procedural rules and has not delivered on promises he made when running for speaker. She said his actions are throwing Republicans’ “razor-thin majority into chaos.” She added that Johnson should have done more to prevent some House Republicans from retiring early, with the earlier retirements causing Republicans to have a one-seat majority.

Greene warned Johnson that she would “not tolerate” his reauthorizing a law allowing for warrantless surveillance of foreign nationals nor his attempt to provide Ukraine with more aid, which he voted against before he was elected speaker.

Though Greene and Johnson were expected to meet during the two-week recess, Greene instead decided to first speak with her constituents but added she is ready to meet with Johnson “at any time this week.”

While Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, Texas Rep. Chip Roy, and Ohio Rep. Warren Davidson have also been vocal about their criticism of Johnson, Greene is the only one who has officially stated she wanted to remove him as speaker. However, Greene said she has heard from many House Republicans who “are relieved” and “support” her letter. Despite the criticism of Johnson, many Republicans do not want to remove him as speaker, fearing the chaos that occurred when former House Speaker and California Rep. Kevin McCarthy was removed as speaker last year.

Johnson has stated that holding a vote to remove him as speaker would not help Republicans, who are hoping to grow their majority in the House. However, Greene argued that Johnson’s actions hurt Republicans’ chances of keeping the majority in the House in November.