The BareStory
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia announced on Friday she will resign from Congress, effective January 5, 2026. The announcement, made in a statement on social media, follows a public falling-out with President Donald Trump, who withdrew his endorsement for her reelection last week.
In her statement, Greene cited backlash from the president over her push to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Greene said that advocating for Epstein’s victims should not result in being called a "traitor" and threatened by the president. She also stated she wished to spare her district a "hurtful and hateful primary" that she said would be backed by Trump.
President Trump responded on Saturday, claiming Greene’s decision was due to "PLUMMETING Poll Numbers" and an unwillingness to face a primary challenger with his endorsement. Trump stated that Greene "went BAD" after he refused to return her phone calls and because of her alliance with Representative Thomas Massie. Trump, who had previously called Greene "wacky" and a "traitor," also thanked her for her service to the country.
Greene’s departure is set to trigger a special election in her conservative Georgia district and will narrow the Republican majority in the House. According to one summary, the margin will be 219 to 213. Representative Massie, who co-sponsored the Epstein files legislation with Greene, praised her statement. In her announcement, Greene did not rule out a future return to public office.
How it may affect me
As a U.S. reader:
• The Republican House majority will narrow, potentially affecting the party's ability to pass laws until a special election fills the vacancy in the Georgia district.
• The future of legislation to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein is now uncertain, as a prominent advocate for it is resigning over the issue.
• A special election will be held in a Georgia district, and its outcome will determine the new representative who will vote on national policy.
