Analyst: Marjorie Taylor Greene and Trump Just Gave Democrats a Political Gift

Republicans Hand Democrats Unexpected Advantage

During an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Wednesday, Politico senior reporter Jonathan Martin said that President Donald Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) inadvertently gave Democrats a political boost this week. Martin argued that the two Republicans’ recent statements placed their own party on the defensive amid an ongoing government shutdown. Josh Morgan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Greene Sides With Democrats on ACA Subsidies

Martin noted that Greene’s public support for maintaining Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies in the stalled budget bill broke from GOP leadership. Her position aligned more closely with Democrats’ push to preserve healthcare funding for lower-income Americans, an issue that has been at the center of the budget dispute.

“What MTG did there was hand the Democrats a gift yesterday,” Martin said, describing her move as politically advantageous for Democrats while deepening internal Republican divisions. William Bretzger/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Trump's Comments Add to GOP Turmoil

Adding to the party’s troubles, Trump suggested that roughly 750,000 furloughed federal employees affected by the shutdown may not receive back pay once government operations resume. Martin called this “devastating to federal employees” and “totally off-message” for the GOP, particularly during a period of heightened scrutiny over its handling of the budget crisis. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Democrats Celebrate ‘Great Day’

“All in all,” Martin said, “Democrats had a great day.” He added that while Republicans may eventually find a way to “fix the issue of Obamacare premiums,” their reluctance to appear as if they are “caving to Democratic demands” has left them politically cornered. He emphasized that the shutdown has disproportionately hurt red states, where many residents depend on ACA subsidies and where GOP senators face growing pressure. Brett Jordan / Pexels

Analyst Says GOP Missteps Could Linger

Martin concluded that the combination of Greene’s defection on healthcare policy and Trump’s controversial remarks marked one of the best political days for Democrats since the shutdown began. “Yesterday was, to date, one of the best political days for Democrats during the shutdown,” he said. “You have MTG breaking ranks on health care and then Trump doing his Trump thing.” Josh Morgan-USA TODAY