Conservative Freedom Caucus Removes Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
In an unprecedented move, the conservative House Freedom Caucus has voted to remove one of its own members, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA). The decision reflects the group’s growing frustration with Greene’s actions and positions.
The spark that ignited the decision to remove Greene was her disparaging remarks about a fellow member of Congress. Rep. Harris (R-MD) stated that the way Greene referred to her fellow member was not in line with the group’s expectations of how members should treat each other, especially female members. While Harris declined to disclose his own vote, he called the decision to remove Greene “an appropriate action.”
This marks the first time the Freedom Caucus has forcibly expelled a member, highlighting the gravity of their frustration with Greene. Throughout the year, Greene has aligned herself closely with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, going against many Freedom Caucus members in supporting his speakership bid and debt deal with President Joe Biden. These actions have raised concerns among some caucus members that the group is becoming too friendly with the party establishment.
When asked if Greene’s support for McCarthy and the debt deal influenced the decision to remove her, Harris affirmed that it did. He stated that all these factors, along with her derogatory comments about another member, contributed to the decision.
A spokesperson for the Freedom Caucus declined to comment on Greene’s status, citing the group’s policy of not disclosing membership or internal processes. In response to her removal, Greene stated that her priority in Congress is serving her district in Northwest Georgia, emphasizing that she does not serve any group in Washington.
With her expulsion, Greene will no longer be able to attend the group’s weekly off-campus meetings, which are limited to members only. It’s worth noting that Greene is not the first member to leave the Freedom Caucus voluntarily. Former Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan quit the group in 2019 before ultimately leaving the Republican Party.
The removal of Greene may not be the end of the caucus’s action. There have been discussions about targeting other members who critics believe are violating group standards through their inactivity. House Freedom Caucus Chair Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) previously denied these requests for a purge. The ongoing debates within the caucus highlight the challenges it faces in maintaining unity, especially on major issues such as the speaker’s race and the debt ceiling.
Currently, the Freedom Caucus is at the center of the fight over government funding, pushing for lower spending levels than the ones agreed upon in the debt deal. They aim to hold the line during negotiations with the White House and Senate Democrats. While the group largely agrees on the need for lower spending, they have been privately discussing the best strategy moving forward after the recent deal with McCarthy that ended a weeklong standoff.
Despite the controversies surrounding Greene’s removal, Harris expressed confidence that there are no remaining “large divisions” within the caucus. He commended Perry’s leadership and stated that the decision to remove Greene was a minor obstacle in the caucus’s overall agenda.
The expulsion of Greene highlights the growing tensions within the Freedom Caucus as it navigates its position within the Republican Party and the broader political landscape. As the group works through its post-Trump crossroads, it faces criticisms about its alignment with the party establishment and the need to maintain a strong, unified identity.
Olivia Beavers contributed to this report.