Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent attempt to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson from office not only failed but also appears to have reinforced unity among many of her fellow Republicans who are pleased with the outcome.
Reports of axios reveal that several House Republicans are confident that Greene’s effort to end Johnson’s presidency has failed, especially after it became clear that House Democrats would not support her motion if it were brought to the floor. hall. Discontent with Greene’s tactics is not limited to moderate Republicans.
“Even online trolls have said they don’t want it,” one Republican lawmaker told the publication. “I don’t think she’s going to do it; I think that window for her has passed,” said another. “I personally don’t believe it based on what I’m hearing, but you would have to talk to the people who have talked about activating it,” Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) said of the prospects for a successful eviction motion. “I’m not convinced that if we put forward a motion to repeal the motion, we’re going to get a more conservative solution, so I think everyone has to weigh it,” said Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK).
Even some of his toughest peers, who previously supported efforts to unseat former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have been reluctant to back his latest campaign. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a notable figure in the anti-McCarthy lobby, expressed hope that Greene would not follow through with her plan to reintroduce his motion to vacate the speakership this week.
Despite her aggressive approach, Greene managed to secure the support of Reps. Paul Gosar and Thomas Massie for her motion. In theory, this support could have been enough to challenge Johnson’s role if all Democrats had aligned themselves as they did during last year’s successful motion against McCarthy. This time, however, key Democrats like Reps. Tom Suozzi and Jared Moskowitz have made it clear they would not support Greene’s motion, significantly reducing his chances of success.
The general reluctance of both parties to support Greene’s motion underscores a broader hesitancy to engage in another leadership battle, especially after the protracted and divisive fight over McCarthy’s position. Many Republicans view Greene’s actions as destabilizing and counterproductive to the party’s broader goals and governance agenda.
The unity among Republicans in response to Greene’s failed bid is indicative of a desire within the party to maintain a semblance of stability and avoid internal conflicts that could undermine its effectiveness. It also reflects an ongoing struggle within the party between traditional conservative elements and more extreme factions.
As the dust settles from this latest political skirmish, it appears President Mike Johnson will keep his job for the foreseeable future, backed by a coalition of Republicans and Democrats who fear further unrest. Greene’s move, while bold, has highlighted the intricate dynamics of partisan politics and the challenges of navigating leadership disputes in a highly polarized legislative environment.