Politics
Once Trump’s Enforcer, Marjorie Taylor Greene Is Becoming His Party’s Problem
By Jake Beardslee · October 8, 2025
A Once-Loyal Ally Turns Independent
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), once one of Donald Trump’s most outspoken defenders, is increasingly distancing herself from both the president and the Republican establishment. After the White House dissuaded her from launching a Senate bid in Georgia earlier this year, Greene has since challenged her own party on several high-profile issues, from foreign policy to healthcare. The White House / Wikimedia
Greene Says She Works for Her District, Not Trump
“I’m not some sort of blind slave to the president, and I don’t think anyone should be,” Greene said, emphasizing her independence. “I’m elected by my district. That’s who I work for.” Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Criticizing GOP Leadership and Policy
In recent months, Greene has criticized the GOP for its approach to Iran strikes and pushed for the release of Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein. Most notably, she broke with her party by siding with Democrats in supporting an extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies during the ongoing government shutdown. Josh Morgan-USA TODAY
Greene Admits GOP Has ‘No Solution’ but Says She Wants to Fix It
“The reality is my party has no solution,” Greene said. “It’s something that I don’t think we can ignore. I really want to fix it.” Megan Smith / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Sources Say Greene Feels Ignored by GOP Leaders as Trump Seeks Answers
“She has felt ignored by GOP leadership and the White House,” one source familiar with her thinking said, according to NBC News. Trump himself reportedly called senior Republicans asking, “What’s going on with Marjorie?” Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Strained Ties with the Trump Camp
Although Greene insists she still supports Trump, her relationship with his staff has soured. According to CNN, as House Republicans debated whether to back Rep. Thomas Massie’s resolution to release all Epstein-related files, a White House official warned that “helping Thomas Massie and Liberal Democrats with their attention-seeking… would be viewed as a very hostile act to the administration.” Greene, who supported the effort, said she felt pressured by White House aides to withdraw from the petition and lashed out publicly, calling one of them a “coward.” Ryan Garza / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Greene Skips Trump’s White House ‘Rose Garden Club’ Opening
She also declined an invitation to attend the grand opening of Trump’s new “Rose Garden Club” at the White House — an event she would previously have been eager to attend. Jack Gruber / USA TODAY NETWORK
Friction with House Speaker Mike Johnson
Greene’s tension extends beyond Trump’s circle. She has openly clashed with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), whom she tried to oust last year over his support for Ukraine aid. Johnson recently dismissed her criticism of the GOP’s health care strategy, claiming she was “probably not read in on some of that.” Greene responded that the issue “isn’t a secret” and that Johnson hasn’t reached out to discuss her concerns. Josh Morgan/USA TODAY / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A Return to Her Outsider Roots
Once eager to prove herself as a “team player” under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Greene now embraces her role as a political outsider. “I didn’t run for Congress as an establishment Republican,” she said. “I’m very much an average American... I look at the real problems and analyze them that way.” Jack Gruber-USA TODAY
Political Future Unclear
With her Senate ambitions abandoned and no White House role in sight, Greene’s next move remains uncertain. Her fundraising has slowed — $1.3 million raised in the first half of the year compared with $1.9 million the year prior — and she holds just $641,000 cash on hand. John Blackie/jblackie@pnj.com / USA TODAY NETWORK