Former President Trump on Wednesday said it was “not the time” for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) attempt to remove Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from the top job in the House, warning the effort displayed “disunity” in an election year.
Trump gently criticized Greene, one of his most ardent supporters in the House, moments after the House overwhelmingly voted to torpedo the congresswoman’s measure to oust the GOP leader.
“I absolutely love Marjorie Taylor Greene. She’s got Spirit, she’s got Fight, and I believe she’ll be around, and on our side, for a long time to come,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “However, right now, Republicans have to be fighting the Radical Left Democrats, and all the Damage they have done to our Country.”
“With a Majority of One, shortly growing to three or four, we’re not in a position of voting on a Motion to Vacate,” Trump continued. “At some point, we may very well be, but this is not the time.”
Trump, citing his lead over President Biden in swing state polls and at the national level, cautioned that any disunity among Republicans “will be portrayed as CHAOS” and “will negatively affect everything!”
“Mike Johnson is a good man who is trying very hard. I also wish certain things were done over the last period of two months, but we will get them done, together,” Trump added.
Trump encouraged Republicans to vote for the motion to table Greene’s effort, though his post went up after the vote had already occurred.
The chamber voted 359-43-7 to block Greene’s motion to vacate before it hit the floor for a vote. Eleven House Republicans voted against the motion to table.
Trump had in recent days sought to mediate friction between Johnson and Greene, who had threatened to trigger a motion to vacate for weeks. The former president spoke with Greene over the weekend and urged unity, and he did the same alongside Johnson at a donor retreat in Florida on Saturday.