President Donald Trump has reacted to the resignation announcement of Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Congress, criticizing her decision as driven by declining poll numbers and potential primary challenges. Greene, a Republican from Georgia, disclosed her intention to step down effective January 5, 2026, which is a year before the conclusion of her term.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump asserted that Greene’s choice to resign stemmed from her “plummeting poll numbers,” suggesting she had “decided to call it quits.” This announcement comes after a notable public rift between the two, particularly regarding Trump’s stance on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files, as well as other policy disagreements. He referred to Greene using the derogatory nickname “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Brown,” which he has employed frequently in recent weeks.
Trump further claimed that Greene would have faced significant challenges had he chosen to endorse a primary opponent against her. “For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never-ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD,” he commented. Additionally, he criticized her associations with Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, labeling him “the WORST Republican Congressman in decades.”
Despite Trump’s harsh remarks, he expressed a degree of gratitude toward Greene, stating, “I will always appreciate Marjorie and thank her for her service to our Country!”
Greene has publicly countered Trump’s criticisms, stating in her resignation video that she did not wish for her district to “endure a hurtful and hateful primary” backed by the former president. She emphasized that loyalty “should be a two-way street,” advocating for Congress members’ right to vote according to their convictions.
Trump elaborated on his views during a separate interview with ABC News, where he described Greene’s resignation as “great news for the country” and indicated that he had no plans to communicate with her going forward.
Elected in 2020, Greene has been one of the most prominent supporters of Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, embracing his sometimes controversial political style. However, her break from Trump signals a significant shift among his most ardent followers, mirroring the paths of many moderate Republicans who have previously found themselves at odds with him.
As Greene prepares to leave Congress, a special election will be necessary to fill her seat for the remainder of her term once her resignation is formally submitted. The implications of her departure are likely to resonate within the Republican Party, as it reflects ongoing tensions and divisions over loyalty and direction.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
