On Saturday, former President Donald Trump responded to the unexpected resignation announcement by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, stating, "Marjorie went BAD." Trump, who has previously had a close alliance with Greene, labeled her a traitor due to her recent collaboration with Republican Rep. Tom Massie from Kentucky. Massie had sponsored a bill calling for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files by the Justice Department, which apparently contributed to Greene's decision to step down.
Greene, a prominent figure within the Republican Party and a staunch supporter of Trump, expressed in her resignation statement that the backlash from the former president regarding her support for the Epstein bill influenced her choice to leave Congress. She announced that her last day in the House of Representatives will be January 5.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump critiqued Greene's decision to resign, suggesting that it stemmed from her dwindling poll numbers and the fear of facing a formidable primary challenger backed by Trump himself. He referred to her resignation as a retreat, stating, "Marjorie 'Traitor' Brown...has decided to call it 'quits.'" Trump also expressed concerns about her association with Massie, calling him "the WORST Republican Congressman in decades" for his unwillingness to support the party's initiatives.
Trump elaborated on Greene's situation, implying that her downfall was partly due to her inability to maintain communication with him, stating, "For some reason, primarily that I refused to return her never-ending barrage of phone calls, Marjorie went BAD." Despite the criticism, Trump concluded his thoughts by expressing gratitude for Greene's service to the country.
Trump had opposed the bill demanding the release of the Epstein files until the last moment. This week, however, the legislation passed through the House with overwhelming support and was later approved unanimously by the Senate. Following this, Trump signed the bill into law, marking a significant legislative victory.
In an interview with NBC News later on Saturday, Trump shared his perspective on Greene's future within the Republican Party, stating, "It's not going to be easy for her to have a future in Republican politics." He added, "I would like to see it," indicating a desire for reconciliation. Trump emphasized his capacity for mending relationships, saying, "I can patch up differences with anyone."
In her resignation statement released on Friday night, Greene articulated her feelings of self-respect and dignity, expressing her reluctance to endure a contentious primary battle against Trump’s endorsement. She reflected on the challenges of defending Trump amid potential impeachment proceedings, asserting that she refuses to be treated like a "battered wife" in the political arena. Greene concluded by emphasizing her commitment to advocating for American women who have suffered injustices, asserting that her efforts should not result in being labeled a traitor.