GOP lawmakers think voters don’t support MTG’s efforts to remove Johnson.
Amidst the political turmoil and infighting in the Republican Party, the House Freedom Caucus and their allies are making it clear that the effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson is not gaining momentum within the GOP base.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, known for her conservative views and outspoken nature, has been adamant in claiming that GOP voters are outraged with Johnson and support her motion to remove him from his position. However, despite her efforts, her resolution, known as a motion to vacate, has remained untouched for nearly 40 days.
After a weeklong recess, conservative lawmakers who have been critical of Johnson returned to Washington with little to no feedback from their constituents on the matter. Rep. Cory Mills of Florida emphasized that voters are more concerned about national security issues like border control than internal party politics.
Similarly, Rep. Keith Self from Texas echoed Mills’ sentiments, stating that he had not received significant feedback from his district regarding the motion to vacate. Both lawmakers emphasized that constituents are primarily focused on broader issues affecting the nation.
Despite Greene’s efforts to rally support for Johnson’s removal, a GOP lawmaker, speaking anonymously, revealed that constituents in their district had rejected Greene’s initiative outright. The sentiment among Republican voters seems to be against the motion to vacate Speaker Johnson.
Rep. Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma cautioned against the consequences of toppling Johnson, suggesting that it might not lead to a more conservative outcome for the party. He emphasized that GOP voters are eager to see the party’s core values being implemented rather than engaging in internal power struggles.
Greene initially introduced her resolution as a protest against Johnson’s bipartisan approach to government spending and foreign aid. While she did manage to garner support from Reps. Thomas Massie and Paul Gosar, the resolution did not gain significant traction within the GOP.
Even among Johnson’s critics within the House Freedom Caucus, there appears to be little interest in pursuing his removal, fearing a repeat of the chaos that followed Kevin McCarthy’s ouster last fall. Greene, in a recent podcast appearance, accused Johnson of betraying Republican voters and suggested that their anger surpassed that of when former President Trump lost the election.
Former President Trump himself voiced support for Johnson, further complicating the situation within the party. As tensions continue to simmer within the GOP, the fate of Speaker Mike Johnson remains uncertain.
