Marjorie Taylor Greene faces GOP backlash after failed bid to oust speaker

WASHINGTON — A throng of media crowded around U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Wednesday evening on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, straining to hear her angry reaction after a bipartisan coalition of House members dismissed her efforts to oust Mike Johnson as House speaker.

But also nearby, still within earshot, were roughly a dozen other GOP lawmakers who wanted to make sure the media knew they were outraged, too. Congressman Rich McCormick, R-Suwanee, said even some lawmakers who like Greene and are unhappy with Johnson did not approve of her surprise move to force a vote on her motion to vacate.

“They were angry that she brought it to the floor today, thought there was a betrayal of them against what they had agreed on,” he said.

Greene on Wednesday shrugged off the criticism and said it is Johnson and the House Republicans who voted to save him who are on the hot seat.

“The uniparty was on full display today,” the Republican from Rome said. “American conservatives all over the country that gave us the majority in 2022, they want a Republican Party that’s ready to fight for our agenda. They want a Republican Party that’s ready to pass President (Donald) Trump’s agenda. And this Republican Party is not ready, and they proved it today.”

U.S. Rep. Carlos Jimenez, R-Fla., interjected from behind her.

“You’re not the Republican Party,” he said. “Don’t talk to the Republican Party.”

As McCormick spoke out, Greene and her gaggle of reporters passed by. He continued to sound off about Greene’s theatrics on the House floor, saying the final straw was her reading aloud the list of her grievances against Johnson, then insisting the House clerk recite it again.

“She knew it was going to fail and still continued to play this game,” McCormick said.

Never before have so many GOP lawmakers been so willing to openly challenge Greene, who has long been a target for Democrats.

Member after member said Wednesday that their position toward her had changed after she forced the vote on Johnson’s speakership. Democrats joined with Republicans, voting 359-43 to table the motion to vacate. Just 11 GOP members and 32 Democrats voted with Greene to move forward on Johnson’s removal.

It is unclear whether House Republicans will attempt to punish Greene for Wednesday’s vote.