Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia announced her intention to call a vote to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, a move that is likely to cause tension within the GOP and prompt Democrats to get involved to prevent a vacancy in the position. While Greene’s motion is not expected to succeed, it has the potential to disrupt Republican unity. Johnson, who has received widespread support within his party, has made it clear that he has no plans to resign. Democrats have vowed to protect Johnson from Greene’s efforts to remove him from his position.
The upcoming showdown between Greene and Johnson could create chaos in the House, as seen during the Republican Party’s struggle to find a replacement for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Finding a successor for Johnson, if he were to be ousted, is uncertain, but potential candidates include Steve Scalise, Jim Jordan, and Tom Emmer. Greene, along with fellow conservative Thomas Massie, has accused Johnson of aligning too closely with Democrats and failing to uphold conservative values. The push to remove Johnson has prompted concerns among Republicans and raised questions about how it could impact the party in an important election year.
While most members of both parties are expected to dismiss Greene’s motion, she believes it will provide clarity on where lawmakers stand. Greene’s call to force a vote to remove Johnson came shortly after the House passed foreign aid bills supporting U.S. allies such as Ukraine and Israel. Johnson initially faced pressure from conservatives to attach GOP-backed immigration policies to the aid packages but ultimately decided to prioritize national security interests. His decision to support funding for Ukraine in particular was influenced by personal reasons, given that his son will attend the U.S. Naval Academy.
With a narrow majority in the House, Greene, Massie, and Gosar, along with potential other dissatisfied lawmakers, could have enough votes to remove Johnson if Democrats support their efforts. While House Democratic leaders have stated they will vote to dismiss Greene’s motion, it is unclear whether Johnson could remain in power with Democratic backing. Johnson has chosen to uphold the current rules regarding removal of the speaker, rather than changing them to prevent threats from Greene and others. The situation sets the stage for a high-stakes political battle that could have major implications for the future of House leadership.
