Republicans try to quash concerns of more exits following Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprise resignation
In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from Congress, effective January 5, 2026, a move that has sent shockwaves through the House Republican caucus and could significantly impact the party’s legislative agenda. Greene’s decision comes amid growing discontent within the GOP, particularly following House Speaker Mike Johnson’s extended session during the recent government shutdown. Her resignation letter expressed her frustrations with the lack of progress in Congress since she took office in 2021, criticizing both Johnson’s leadership and her former ally, President Donald Trump, from whom she has recently distanced herself. Greene lamented the political drama that has overshadowed substantive governance, stating, “The House should have been in session working every day to fix this disaster,” referencing the prolonged government shutdown.
The implications of Greene’s departure are multifaceted. As the Republican majority in the House tightens, her resignation could hinder the party’s ability to push through key legislative priorities. With the upcoming special elections in Tennessee and Texas, where Democrats are anticipated to maintain control, Greene’s exit could leave the GOP with a precariously slim majority, potentially reducing their ability to enact significant policy changes. While some Republican lawmakers, like Rep. Blake Moore, have attempted to downplay dissent within the party and emphasize a united front, the reality of Greene’s resignation and the potential ripple effects it may cause loom large. Other members, such as Rep. Don Bacon, have openly expressed their frustrations with the party’s direction, particularly regarding foreign policy, hinting that Greene’s resignation may not be an isolated incident but rather a symptom of broader discontent within the Republican ranks.
As the political landscape shifts, Greene’s resignation could serve as a catalyst for other lawmakers to reconsider their positions, potentially leading to further instability within the GOP. With the party facing internal divisions and external pressures, the coming months will be critical in determining how Republicans navigate the challenges ahead. Greene’s departure not only underscores the tensions within the party but also raises questions about the future of Republican leadership and legislative effectiveness in a closely divided Congress.
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s surprise resignation from Congress stunned House Republicans and sets up an even tighter majority in the lower chamber that could foil major legislative priorities.
Whether it triggers a ripple effect of Republican lawmakers following her lead remains to be seen. Still, there are members of the House GOP who are frustrated by how events have unfolded in recent months, especially after House Speaker
Mike Johnson
, R-La., opted to keep the House in session for over 50 days during the government shutdown.
Rep. Mike Haridopolos, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital he’s “heard rumors” of frustration among his colleagues but, from people he’s spoken with, “They’re committed to being here.”
MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE ANNOUNCES RESIGNATION FROM CONGRESS AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHDRAWS ENDORSEMENT
“This is an incredible honor to serve in the
House of Representatives
, and when you run for office, I think you should fill out your term,” Haridopolos said.
“This is what the American public wanted,” he continued. “I mean, they affirmatively put Republicans in power. And the only frustration we’ve been through, at least my biggest frustration, is when the Democrats exercise their power to shut the government down for 43 days.”
Greene, in her resignation letter teeing up her departure from Congress Jan. 5, 2026, aired grievances about how little progress has been made on Capitol Hill since she became a lawmaker in 2021.
She also took aim at President
Donald Trump
, who she has for weeks been distancing herself from despite being a die-hard Trump loyalist for much of her legislative career, and at Johnson for his handling of the shutdown.
JASMINE CROCKETT CALLS OUT MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE FOR RESIGNING FROM CONGRESS AMID TRUMP FEUD
“During the longest shutdown in our nation’s history, I raged against my own speaker and my own party for refusing to proactively work diligently to pass a plan to save American healthcare and protect Americans from outrageous overpriced and unaffordable health insurance policies,” Greene said. “The House should have been in session working every day to fix this disaster, but instead America was forced fed disgusting political drama once again from both sides of the aisle.”
Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, the fifth highest-ranking House Republican, sought to quash any rumors of dissent among the ranks in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Speaker Johnson and the House Republican leadership team have made a diligent effort to listen to all members of the conference for input, policy ideas and concerns,” he said. “As usual, the media is building a negative narrative, but our record of delivering for the American people with our majority this year speaks to our teamwork and unity.”
That majority is now headed for a tenuous situation with Greene’s retirement.
Though Republicans are expected to maintain a seat after former Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., retired, the
special election
to replace the late former Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Texas, is expected to stay in Democratic control, effectively nullifying the results.
That means when Greene leaves, and if the results in Tennessee in December favor Republicans, Democrats are hoping for a miracle in the race. The results in Texas in late January favor Democrats, so the GOP would be left with effectively a two-vote majority.
FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MCCARTHY WARNS MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE IS ‘THE CANARY IN THE COAL MINE’
Another lawmaker was tempted to exit the House for a different reason.
Rep.
Don Bacon
, R-Neb., was furious over the White House’s 28-point plan for Russia and Ukraine and told Fox News Digital that he found it “so appalling, so embarrassing.”
Bacon argued that the plan, which has broadly been viewed as giving Moscow much of what it wants and leaves Ukraine with little other than an end to the ongoing war, was “a recipe for Ukraine being abused for decades to come, and to be basically a vassal state under Russian control. And that was unacceptable.”
His preference is that if Ukraine is pushed to give up territory to Russia, it should be allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at the very least.
He noted that he ran on a pro-Ukraine platform, and, for a moment, considered resigning, fast-tracking his planned retirement from Congress at the end of next year.
“I was so frustrated, it went through my mind,” Bacon said. “You know, I don’t want to be a part of this team, frankly, but I don’t — I knew it was wrong. It was short-lived.
“I think people would be doing a disservice to a lot of people just to resign,” he continued. “I frankly think you should only resign if you got, like, an illness, or your spouse has an illness, or you got a legal issue. You know, when you run, there’s a commitment.”
