Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) signaled exasperation with firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) after being requested about her newest critique in a press convention Friday.
“I try not to react to what Marjorie Taylor Greene says every day,” Johnson mentioned.
Greene, in an interview Thursday with Axios, accused Johnson of “hypocrisy” for a way he dismissed questions on a decide granting Rep. Cory Mills’s (R-Fla.) ex-girlfriend a restraining order towards him this week. Johnson mentioned it is likely to be a matter for the Home Ethics Committee, earlier than asking reporters to “talk about the things that are really serious.”
Greene in contrast the state of affairs to former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) being expelled from Congress amid accusations of fraud and identification theft whereas Johnson was Speaker.
“They expelled George Santos, Mike Johnson did. He was Speaker and oversaw George Santos being expelled. Why isn’t he doing anything about Cory Mills?” Greene advised Axios. “There’s clearly proof behind her accusations that a judge is issuing a restraining order. So I would say to Speaker Johnson, this is a serious matter, and it needs to be taken seriously.”
Johnson went on to say Greene’s assertion that he ousted Santos is “the exact opposite of history.”
“I opposed his expulsion from Congress. I voted against it. I advocated to my colleagues not to do that,” Johnson mentioned.
Johnson recalled: “I talked to George Santos about redemption and about God’s mercy and grace. So look, I don’t know what she’s talking about.”
The Speaker then turned to the matter of Mills, saying he would “let the legal process play out” whereas praising the Florida Republican.
“He’s been a very hardworking member of Congress. He digs in deep on his areas of expertise and all of that. And, you know, he has served his constituents faithfully, so far as I’ve seen,” Johnson mentioned.
“With regard to what’s going on in his personal life. I don’t know,” Johnson added. “I know people want me to throw colleagues under the bus. I don’t do that.”
Greene’s feedback about Mills and Santos are the most recent in an onslaught of criticism she’s lobbed at Republican leaders in latest weeks amid the federal government shutdown — irritating and puzzling her GOP colleagues.
She has referred to as on Johnson to carry the Home again into session and referred to as on Republican senators to make use of the “nuclear option” and bypass the Senate filibuster to reopen the federal government with out assist from Democrats. And he or she has accused the GOP of not having a plan to deal with rising well being care premiums, as Democrats argue for an extension of expiring enhanced ObamaCare subsidies.
Greene advised The Hill in an interview final week that it’s “ridiculous” to recommend her positions have put her on an island within the GOP.
“I’m actually representing what a lot of Americans fully support,” she mentioned.
