WASHINGTON – Marjorie Taylor Greene, known for her outspoken conservative views, vowed to remove Mike Johnson from the speakership but has not yet called a vote on the matter, despite her repeated promises to do so.
Greene's delay in taking action underscores the political challenges she faces: few in Congress support her efforts, and retracting her threats would damage her credibility. Some lawmakers view Greene's approach as misguided, suggesting it could backfire and harm her standing.
Greene initiated a "motion to vacate" against the speaker, a move that could force Johnson from his position.
However, her efforts have met significant resistance, not only from House Republicans but also from ultraconservatives and House Democrats. Many lawmakers prefer to address any potential speaker change in the next Congress rather than in the current session, which could lead to a direct challenge to Johnson's speakership in January 2025.
Despite facing opposition, Greene has indicated she could call for a vote to oust Johnson at any time. Recently, she and Rep.
Thomas Massie met with Johnson to present a set of demands, including commitments related to U.S. aid to Ukraine, defunding certain investigations, and legislative procedures. However, the specifics of these demands and how they could be met remain unclear.
Some speculate that Greene is seeking a way to avoid a public defeat and is using her demands as a negotiation tactic. Regardless, the lack of support for her efforts suggests that her campaign to remove Johnson may not succeed, with many viewing it as a political drama with an uncertain conclusion.