Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has dropped a bombshell by announcing her resignation from Congress, effective in January, leaving conservatives scratching their heads over the timing and impact.
Newsmax reported that Greene's departure, coming at a critical juncture for House Republicans’ razor-thin majority, has sparked sharp criticism from former lawmakers who see her exit as a blow to the party’s unity and voting power amid looming funding battles.
Let’s rewind a bit—Greene, known for her fiery rhetoric, has been a polarizing figure within the Republican ranks, often clashing with leadership and even President Donald Trump over contentious issues like healthcare and government shutdowns.
Former New York Rep. Pete King didn’t mince words when assessing Greene’s influence, stating, “I've always felt that her importance was overrated.”
King’s take cuts deep, suggesting the party inflated Greene’s relevance by giving her too much spotlight on foreign policy and other matters where her input, in his view, carried little weight.
With a funding deadline early next year, every vote counts, and King warns that Greene’s absence could tip the scales against Republicans in crucial battles on Capitol Hill.
Former Georgia Rep. Jack Kingston echoed the concern, lamenting, “But you don't leave the post... not when you have a one, two, three vote majority. You have to stay in the fight.”
Kingston’s frustration is palpable—Greene’s decision to walk away, especially after qualifying for her congressional pension just days before resigning, raises eyebrows about her commitment to the constituents who sent her to Washington.
Greene cited disgust over the release of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s files as her reason for stepping down, but Kingston isn’t buying it, arguing her political actions don’t match the explanation.
King didn’t hold back on the optics either, calling Greene’s resignation “politically calculated, and it's going to hurt the Republican Party.”
That’s a zinger with some sting—while Greene’s base may have cheered her unapologetic style, her exit could fracture party cohesion at a time when unity is non-negotiable for conservatives facing progressive pushback.
Her departure isn’t just a numbers game; it’s a signal to the MAGA faithful that even their loudest voices can opt out when the going gets tough, leaving some to wonder who will fill the void.
Meanwhile, a separate event last week saw President Trump meeting New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office, a sit-down that’s raised conservative hackles for all the wrong reasons.
King expressed unease over Mamdani’s past, accusing him of promoting antisemitism and enabling disruptive protests at Columbia University and elsewhere, while still acknowledging the necessity of leaders engaging in dialogue.
Kingston, on the other hand, noted Trump had little choice but to meet with Mamdani, though he cautioned that the mayor-elect might not maintain a cooperative facade for long, hinting at future tensions in this uneasy alliance.