Marjorie Taylor Greene to Force Vote on Ousting Speaker Mike Johnson Next Week Despite Opposition

On May 1, 2024, Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her intention to force a vote next week to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, setting the stage for a major showdown in the House of Representatives. Greene's move comes despite opposition from Democrats, many Republicans, and even former President Donald Trump.

Greene accused Johnson of betraying conservative values and compromising with Democrats, claiming he has given them everything they want. She argued that keeping Johnson in power would discourage Republicans from voting in the November elections. Greene insisted she is not defying Trump, who has defended Johnson, and maintained that she is fighting for Trump's agenda.

However, the effort to remove Johnson is expected to fail, as Democrats have pledged to vote to protect him, and only one other Republican, Representative Thomas Massie, has publicly backed Greene's effort.

Why this matters: The upcoming vote highlights the ongoing divisions within the Republican Party and the challenges faced by House leadership in maintaining unity. The outcome of this vote could have implications for the GOP's prospects in the upcoming November elections.

Many Republicans oppose the push to oust Johnson, fearing it could cause chaos in the House, similar to the turmoil that followed the removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The reluctance among House Republicans to join Greene's effort also stems from the lack of a clear alternative to replace Johnson.

Key Takeaways

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene plans to force a vote to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson.
• Greene accuses Johnson of betraying conservative values and compromising with Democrats.
• The effort to remove Johnson is expected to fail, with Democrats and few Republicans backing him.
• The vote highlights divisions within the GOP and challenges for House leadership to maintain unity.
• The outcome could have implications for the GOP's prospects in the upcoming November elections.