Marjorie Taylor Greene Like ‘Canary in Coal Mine’ for GOP...

By Sam StevensonShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation from Congress could signal more trouble for the Republican Party next year, former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said.

Newsweek contacted the White House and Greene for comment via email.

Why It Matters

McCarthy, a California Republican and former congressman who served as speaker in 2023, likened Greene's decision to a "canary in the coal mine," indicating deeper unrest within the GOP at a critical juncture for the party's control of the House and President Donald Trump's legislative agenda.

With as many as 22 House Republicans either resigning or declining to seek reelection next year, party cohesion and the passage of key policies are in question, given the GOP's already slim majority in the lower chamber of Congress.

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What To Know

Greene, a Georgia Republican and once a prominent ally of Trump, has set her resignation for January 5, 2026.

Her announcement followed escalating disputes with Trump, notably over the release of government records related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Responding to unconfirmed reports that other Republican lawmakers are considering stepping down in the middle of Trump's second term, Greene pointed to internal rifts with GOP leadership.

She wrote on X: "Fact check true but it's worse than people inside the bubble know when you talk to real Americans outside the wicked snow globe of Washington DC.

"Myself and many of my colleagues came courageously roaring into 2025 with legislation that matched the 2024 electoral mandate only to be totally sidelined by [Speaker Mike] Johnson under full obedience of the WH [White House]."

She further critiqued her colleagues' loyalty to leadership over constituent needs and expressed pessimism about the party's prospects at the next election, saying the Republicans would "likely lose the midterms" and that their House majority "has been mostly wasted."

Greene isn't the first Republican to announce an early departure. In July, Representative Mark Green of Tennessee resigned to take a private sector job he described as "too exciting to pass up." Meanwhile, Representative Jodey Arrington of Texas recently announced that he would not seek reelection next year, putting more pressure on the GOP's shaky control of the House.

As the House GOP holds a 219-213 majority, further defections could quickly erode their ability to pass legislation and implement Trump administration priorities.

Greene's seat in Georgia is set to remain vacant until Governor Brian Kemp calls a special election, as required by state law, within 10 days of her resignation.

What People Are Saying

Former Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told Fox News: "I've always believed that any time you have an elected official that's known by three initials, they're effective in what they do. And I found Marjorie to be very effective. But she's almost like the canary in the coal mine. And this is something inside Congress—they'd better wake up because they're going to get a lot of people retiring, and they've got to focus."

GOP strategist Doug Heye, commenting on Congress, told CNN: "It has become—and has been for a long time—a bad workplace, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more resignations or retirement announcements come over the coming weeks or months."

Republican Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska said: "I do think that in the longer run, this is going to strengthen [Speaker Mike Johnson's] hand. You know, Marjorie Taylor Greene has been one of the biggest nemeses of Speaker Johnson, and we have a chance to be a stronger team because we'll be less divided in the long run."

President Donald Trump, discussing Greene's resignation, initially told ABC News: "I think it's great news for the country."

He later softened his tone, writing on Truth Social: "Nevertheless, I will always appreciate Marjorie, and thank her for her service to our Country!"

What Happens Next

Greene has not said whether she will endorse a successor to replace her.

With polling suggesting Democratic gains in the upcoming midterms, the fallout from Greene's resignation is likely to reverberate through congressional dynamics and campaign strategies heading into November 2026.

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