By WPS News Staff Reporters

U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) announced that she will resign from Congress effective January 5, 2026, stepping down with roughly one year remaining in her term (Associated Press [AP], 2025; Washington Post [WP], 2025). In a more than ten-minute video statement posted online Friday, the hard-right congresswoman cited an escalating “hurtful and hateful” intraparty battle with former President Donald Trump, whom she had once loyally supported (AP, 2025).

Greene stated she did “not want [her] district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary” in 2026 following Trump’s vow to unseat her (AP, 2025). The resignation marks a dramatic schism between Trump and one of his once-highest-profile MAGA allies, and triggers the prospect of an early special election for Georgia’s 14th District seat (AP, 2025).

Her announcement followed weeks of public feuding with Trump. Greene’s video and a follow-up written statement reiterated her conservative “America First, America Only” platform and defended her long-standing loyalty to Trump — noting she had backed him “with too much of my precious time, too much of my own money” (People, 2025). After a series of policy disagreements and tone clashes, Trump branded her as “wacky” and a “traitor,” and moved to endorse a primary challenger (Reuters, 2025). In her retirement announcement, Greene said she believed it was “unfair and wrong” for Trump to attack her for disagreeing over policy, adding “loyalty should be a two-way street” in politics (AP, 2025).

The fissure between Greene and Trump widened rapidly, evolving from behind-the-scenes discord into a full-blown public dispute. Greene began voicing criticism of the Trump administration on key issues — notably the release of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and growing concerns about foreign policy priorities (WP, 2025). She argued that the president was focusing too much abroad and not enough on Americans’ domestic needs, quipping that “no one cares about the never-ending amount of foreign leaders coming to the White House” instead of national issues (Hindustan Times, 2025). She also pressed for transparency by demanding the administration release more Epstein-case documents — a move that put her in conflict with Trump and some of his allies (Reuters, 2025).

Trump’s response was immediate and severe. He mocked “‘Wacky’ Marjorie,” accused her of having “turned left,” and said “all I see Marjorie do is COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN!” (Reuters, 2025). He coined the nickname “Marjorie Taylor Brown – because green grass turns brown when it begins to rot,” and publicly withdrew his endorsement of her, inviting GOP contenders in her district to challenge her and offering “Complete and Unyielding Support” to “the right person” (Reuters, 2025). Last week, he told reporters that “she’s lost her way” and dismissed Greene’s safety concerns, saying “I don’t think anybody cares about her” (WP, 2025).

Greene accused Trump of having “attacked me and lied about me” after her years of loyalty (People, 2025). On November 16 she warned that “President Trump’s unwarranted and vicious attacks against me were a dog whistle to dangerous radicals,” describing harassment including hoax deliveries and a pipe-bomb threat at a family business (WP, 2025). She argued that by labeling her a “traitor,” Trump was effectively signaling extremists (WP, 2025).

Amid the turmoil, Greene apologized for her past incendiary rhetoric, saying “Humbly, I’m sorry for taking part in the toxic politics,” and vowed to pursue a kinder discourse (People, 2025). She appealed for national unity, saying Americans have “far more in common than we have differences,” while emphasizing her ongoing “America First” agenda (People, 2025).

Greene’s break from Trump is notable given her history as one of his most loyal allies. Elected in 2020, she adopted Trump’s election-fraud claims, supported efforts to overturn 2020 results, and publicly embraced his messaging (WP, 2025). Trump praised her early on as a “future Republican star,” despite her QAnon associations (WP, 2025). During Biden’s State of the Union addresses, she frequently heckled the President and amplified Trump slogans (WP, 2025).

Over time, Greene sought to become a more substantive far-right legislator. She aligned with then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy in 2023 and gained committee influence when Republicans retook the House (AP, 2025). By Greene’s account, GOP leadership and the Trump White House were operating in “lockstep,” sidelining rank-and-file members, with her bills “just sit[ting] collecting dust” under unified Republican rule (WP, 2025).

Signs of her shift appeared earlier in 2025. In May she ruled out a U.S. Senate run after attacks from within the GOP (WP, 2025). Shortly after, she declined to run for Georgia governor and criticized the state GOP’s “good ’ole boy system” (AP, 2025). Polls showed her trailing badly in a hypothetical Senate race; she refocused on her House role and promoted a populist agenda that included extending ACA subsidies and opposing hardline budget cuts (WP, 2025). She also appeared on mainstream programs including The View and Real Time with Bill Maher (Hindustan Times, 2025).

These shifts placed Greene at odds with the Trump administration. She criticized his support for guest-worker visas and global summits as inconsistent with “America First” (Reuters, 2025). She also condemned his honoring of a controversial Syrian official (Hindustan Times, 2025). Greene insisted she serves “the American people,” not a single leader, saying “I don’t worship or serve Donald Trump” (People, 2025). Trump later commented that “something happened to her over the last month or two where she changed” (Hindustan Times, 2025).

Greene’s resignation and feud with Trump have shaken GOP ranks. Gov. Brian Kemp must call a special election to fill her seat once she departs on Jan. 5, 2026 (AP, 2025). Georgia law requires a writ for a special election within ten days, followed by primaries and a general election, potentially creating two overlapping races (AP, 2025).

Before Greene’s announcement, Trump had already encouraged challengers in her district (Reuters, 2025). Potential contenders include State Sen. Colton Moore, neurosurgeon John Cowan, and activist Laura Loomer (Hindustan Times, 2025). Trump’s endorsement is expected to be a decisive factor (Reuters, 2025).

Democratic candidate Shawn Harris argues the feud is “attention-seeking behavior,” asserting neither Greene nor Trump has delivered for working-class voters (Hindustan Times, 2025). Although the district leans heavily Republican, the MAGA-on-MAGA conflict may overshadow the general election dynamics.

Greene’s exit joins a rising number of congressional departures ahead of 2026. Analysts expect her resignation to “ripple throughout the ranks,” raising questions about Trump’s coalition (AP, 2025). By leaving now, she frees herself to consider roles beyond Congress, with some analysts suggesting potential media or future political ambitions (WP, 2025).

Her resignation underscores fractures within the MAGA movement as Trump demands strict loyalty heading into 2026. Greene warned that “Republicans will likely lose the midterm elections next year” under current trends (WP, 2025). If Democrats retake the House, they could block Trump’s agenda and possibly consider impeachment — a prospect Greene mentioned sharply (WP, 2025).

For now, Trump’s dominance remains strong, and Greene’s exit may deter other Republicans from challenging him. Greene compared remaining in Congress under Trump’s attacks to staying a “battered wife,” saying she was choosing to leave on her own terms (People, 2025).

What Greene does next remains uncertain. With a large national following, she may pursue media, advocacy, or future campaigns (WP, 2025). Her split with Trump could reshape the dynamics of the GOP going into the 2026 midterms.

— Dr. Potts

References

Associated Press. (2025, November 22). Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, former Trump loyalist, says she is resigning from Congress.
https://apnews.com/article/5f42d4893343babc8e87da1491a0de2b

People. (2025, November 22). Marjorie Taylor Greene announces surprise resignation from Congress, saying she refuses to be a ‘battered wife’ to Trump.
https://people.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-announces-surprise-resignation-from-congress-11855129

Reuters. (2025, November 15). Trump withdraws support for longtime ally Marjorie Taylor Greene.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-withdraws-support-marjorie-taylor-greene-2025-11-15/

Washington Post. (2025, November 21). GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announces she is resigning from House.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/21/marjorie-taylor-greene-resigns-congress/

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