Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Trump loyalist, has resigned from Congress after a public feud with the former president, marking a significant shift within the MAGA movement. The Georgia Republican, elected in 2020, announced her resignation on Friday, citing her falling out with Trump over his opposition to her efforts to release files from the criminal investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Greene, who initially supported Trump’s agenda but eventually found herself at odds with the former president, described the incident as a betrayal. In a statement posted on X, she claimed that standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men should not result in being called a traitor and threatened by the president. Her resignation reflects the growing divisions within the MAGA movement that propelled Trump to power.
The conflict between Greene and Trump intensified when the former president criticized her for supporting the release of Epstein files, a cause she had championed. Trump, in a scathing social media post, labeled her ‘wacky’ and a ‘ranting lunatic,’ a move that ultimately led to the revocation of his endorsement. Greene’s decision also came amid internal party dynamics, as the GOP holds a narrow 219-213 majority, with her departure potentially tightening Speaker Mike Johnson’s hold on the chamber.
Greene, who has a controversial history including promoting conspiracy theories, suggested that a looming primary challenge from a pro-Trump super PAC, MAGA Inc., may have influenced her decision. She indicated that she would not want her district to endure a potentially hurtful primary against her, especially with the looming midterms. Her resignation brings an end to a tumultuous tenure that saw her stripped of committee assignments for promoting violence towards prominent Democrats in 2021.
While Greene did not rule out a future run for office, she hinted that she might consider running as an independent if she returned to politics. She expressed hope that common Americans would recognize the need to reclaim power from the political establishment. Her resignation further highlights the deepening rift between Trump and the Republican party, as well as the internal dynamics shaping the future of the GOP.