Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) expressed anger at fiery Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) after being asked about her latest criticism in a news conference Friday.
“I try not to react every day to what Marjorie Taylor Greene says,” Johnson said.
Greene, in one Interview Thursday with Axiosaccused Johnson of “hypocrisy” for dismissing questions about a judge granting grants to the ex-girlfriend of Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.). an injunction against him this week. Johnson said it could be a Matter of the House of Representatives Ethics Committeebefore urging reporters to “talk about the really serious stuff.”
Greene compared the situation to the expulsion of former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from Congress on charges of fraud and identity theft when Johnson was speaker.
“They expelled George Santos, just like Mike Johnson. He was speaker and got George Santos expelled. Why isn’t he doing something about Cory Mills?” Greene told Axios. “Behind her allegations, there is clear evidence that a judge is issuing a restraining order. That’s why I would tell Speaker Johnson that this is a serious matter and needs to be taken seriously.”
Johnson continued that Greene’s claim that he ousted Santos was “the exact opposite of the story.”
“I opposed his expulsion from Congress. I voted against it. I called on my colleagues not to do that,” Johnson said.
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 Mills matter, saying he would “let the legal process play out” while praising the Florida Republican.
“He’s been a very hard-working member of Congress. He’s very dedicated to his areas of expertise and all that. And, from what I’ve seen, he’s served his constituents faithfully,” Johnson said.
“In terms of what’s going on in his personal life. I don’t know,” Johnson added. “I know people want me to offend colleagues. I won’t do that.”
Greene’s comments about Mills and Santos are the latest in an onslaught of Criticism she has leveled at Republican leaders in recent weeks amid the government shutdown — frustrating and confusing her GOP colleagues.
She called on Johnson to resume sessions of the House of Representatives and urged Republican senators to exploit the “nuclear option” and bypass the Senate filibuster to reopen the government without support from Democrats. And she has accused the Republican Party of having no plan to deal with rising health care premiums while Democrats argue for an extension of the expiring expanded ObamaCare subsidies.
Greene said in an interview with The Hill last week that it was “ridiculous” to suggest her positions had put her on an island in the GOP.
“I actually represent what many Americans fully support,” she said.
