Trump Rejects Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Push to Remove Speaker Johnson
By Jake Beardslee ·
April 23, 2024
Former President Donald Trump has come to the defense of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) amid calls from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) for Johnson's resignation or removal due to his support for a $95 billion foreign aid package that includes significant funding for Ukraine and Israel. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia
In an interview with radio host John Fredericks on Monday, Trump acknowledged the challenges of governing with a slim Republican majority in the House. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia
Trump stated, "Well, look, we have a majority of one, OK? It's not like he can go and do whatever he wants to do." Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia
However, Trump praised Johnson, saying, "I think he's a very good person. You know, he stood very strongly with me on NATO when I said NATO has to pay up …It's a tough situation when you have. I think he's a very good man. I think he's trying very hard." Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia
Greene, a staunch Trump ally, has been highly critical of Johnson's leadership on the foreign aid package, which includes about $61 billion for Ukraine. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia
"Mike Johnson's leadership is over. He needs to do the right thing to resign and allow us to move forward in a controlled process," Greene told Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures." "If he doesn't do so, he will be vacated." Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia
Trump acknowledged the inclusion of more than $9 billion in "forgivable loans" for economic assistance to Ukraine as part of the package. Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia
Trump stated: "We've got to election some people in Congress, much more than we have right now. We have to elect some good senators. Get rid of some of the ones we have now, like Romney and others. And we have to have a big day, and we have to win the presidency. If we don't win the presidency, I'm telling you I think our country could be finished… We are absolutely a country in decline." Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia
While Greene has found support from Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Paul Gosar (R-AZ) in her push to oust Johnson, Rep. Bob Good (R-VA), head of the House Freedom Caucus, opposes the move. "My judgment and estimation is that this is not the time to do that," Good told The Hill. House Creative Committee/Wikimedia
As the November elections approach, the rift between Trump and Greene's faction of the Republican Party and Johnson's leadership highlights the challenges facing the GOP as it seeks to maintain control of the House and potentially gain a majority in the Senate. Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America/Wikimedia
