Marjorie Taylor Greene, once one of former President Donald Trump’s most fervent defenders, is set to leave Congress after a turbulent five-year tenure marked by fierce loyalty, controversial stances, and a dramatic falling out with the very figure she once championed. Greene's political journey encapsulates much of the volatility and factionalism that has defined the modern Republican Party, reflecting broader tensions within the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement and the evolving landscape of American conservative politics.
Greene was sworn into office in early January 2021, just days before the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. From the outset, she aligned herself closely with Trump, echoing his unsubstantiated claims that the 2020 presidential election was "stolen." At a time when many Republicans sought to distance themselves from Trump and his allegations, Greene remained a staunch supporter, positioning herself as a defender of the former president and his agenda. Her early tenure in Congress was characterized by a combative style, embracing controversy and often targeting Democrats with incendiary rhetoric.
Before entering politics, Greene had worked as a gym instructor in Georgia and was relatively unknown on the national stage. Her political activism began in earnest during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, and she quickly became known for her outspoken criticism of the political establishment. She frequently traveled to Washington, D.C., where she vocally opposed Democratic policies, often framing them as socialist or pro-Islamic. Greene also promoted several baseless conspiracy theories, including QAnon-related claims, questioning the legitimacy of tragic events such as school shootings and alleging that the Democratic Party was controlled by a cabal of powerful pedophiles. These views contributed to her polarizing public image.
Shortly after taking office, Greene’s controversial past caught up with her. The House of Representatives voted to remove her from her committee assignments, a rare rebuke reflecting bipartisan concern about her conduct and rhetoric. Despite this setback, Greene remained a visible and influential figure among conservative voters. When Republicans regained control of the House, she experienced a form of political rehabilitation, working closely with then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy to consolidate conservative support. However, her relationship with party leadership remained fraught; after McCarthy’s ouster, Greene clashed with his successor, Mike Johnson, even launching an unsuccessful attempt to remove him from his leadership position.
In 2023, Greene was expelled from the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative faction within the Republican Party. By this point, she had become something of a political wildcard—still deeply unpopular with Democrats and many Republicans alike, yet retaining a base of support largely due to her close ties with Trump. Her presence in Congress was marked by frequent conflicts, not only with the opposing party but also with members of her own ranks.
Despite her initial unwavering support for Trump, cracks in their alliance began to emerge earlier this year. Greene publicly criticized several key Trump positions, including his decision to authorize airstrikes on Iran, his approach to the Gaza conflict, and his failure to regulate large technology companies adequately. However, the most significant break came over the issue of Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender with connections to powerful elites. Greene condemned Trump for not pushing his Justice Department to release all files related to Epstein’s case and appeared alongside Epstein’s victims and Democratic lawmakers to demand a House vote on the matter. This stance marked a clear departure from her former loyalty.
Greene’s divergence from Trump’s policies extended beyond foreign affairs. During the recent government shutdown, she sided with Democrats in urging Republicans to address expiring healthcare subsidies for low-income Americans, a move that further alienated her from party hardliners. She openly criticized Trump for focusing excessively on foreign policy issues at the expense of domestic economic and affordability challenges. In a post on the social media platform X, Greene wrote, "The American people aren't motivated by foreign wars or bailouts for other countries. They want leaders who show up, do the job, and fight for them every single day!" Her rhetoric suggested a different interpretation of the "America First" movement than Trump’s, emphasizing tangible economic concerns over geopolitical ambitions.
As Greene distanced herself from Trump and the mainstream MAGA movement, the former president’s response was swift and harsh. Trump publicly branded Greene a "traitor" and expressed relief at her impending departure from Congress. In an interview with ABC News, he called her exit "great news for the country." On his platform Truth Social