Marjorie Taylor Greene Announces Resignation from Congress After Trump Feud Over Epstein Files

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene announced on Friday, November 21, 2025, that she would resign from Congress effective January 5, 2026, following a bitter public falling out with President Donald Trump over her advocacy for releasing full Jeffrey Epstein investigation files. The announcement came one week after Trump withdrew his endorsement of Greene and publicly attacked her on Truth Social, calling her “Marjorie ‘Traitor’ Greene,” “a ranting Lunatic,” and questioning her loyalty to his agenda. Greene’s resignation ends five turbulent years in Congress marked by controversies, conspiracy theories, and increasingly confrontational relationships with party leadership.

In her announcement, delivered via an 11-minute video statement, Greene cited being “cast aside” by Trump and facing his threatened primary challenge as the “proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.” She stated: “I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for.” The statement reflected deep personal pain at being rejected by a political figure she had defended throughout his first term and various legal challenges.

Greene’s break with Trump centered primarily on her advocacy for releasing unredacted Epstein investigation files, including flight logs, client lists, and investigative materials related to the deceased financier and sex trafficker. She had joined a bipartisan discharge petition to force release of the files, which Trump’s administration had delayed and heavily redacted. Greene framed her position as defending women and girls who were trafficked and abused, stating: “Standing up for American women who were raped at 14, trafficked and used by rich powerful men, should not result in me being called a traitor and threatened by the President of the United States, whom I fought for.”

The feud escalated rapidly in mid-November 2025 when Greene publicly criticized Trump’s handling of Epstein file releases and questioned whether he remained committed to “America First” principles. Trump responded with characteristic vehemence on Truth Social, initially calling her “Wacky Marjorie” before escalating to accusations of treason and disloyalty. He announced he would support a Republican primary challenger against her in 2026, effectively ending her political viability within the MAGA movement she had championed.

Trump’s withdrawal of endorsement represented a stunning reversal for Greene, who had been among his most vocal defenders during his first impeachment, second impeachment, and subsequent criminal prosecutions. She had attended his arraignments, defended him on cable news, and used her position on House committees to investigate what she characterized as political persecution of Trump and his supporters. Her transformation from Trump’s fiercest loyalist to persona non grata highlighted the authoritarian nature of Trump’s political movement, where deviation on any issue could trigger total excommunication.

Greene also cited disagreements with Trump over Gaza policy and Obamacare subsidies as contributing factors to their falling out. She had expressed concerns about U.S. support for Israel’s military operations in Gaza, putting her at odds with Trump’s unconditional backing of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Additionally, some sources suggested she had sympathies for extending ACA subsidies, conflicting with hardline conservative opposition, though she never signed the discharge petition on that issue.

In her video statement, Greene used the metaphor of domestic abuse to describe her relationship with Trump and the Republican Party: “I refuse to be a ‘battered wife,’ hoping it all goes away and gets better.” The language reflected her view that she had endured repeated attacks and betrayals from party leadership while remaining loyal, only to be abandoned when she took a principled stand on protecting abuse victims and government transparency.

Greene condemned what she characterized as the Republican Party’s abandonment of “Make America Great Again” principles and its transformation into part of the “political industrial complex” that perpetuates divisiveness for profit. She suggested that both parties had become more interested in fundraising and partisan warfare than actually governing or serving constituents. Her critique echoed populist themes but also reflected personal bitterness at her political isolation.

The timing of Greene’s resignation announcement—setting her departure date as January 5, 2026—sparked immediate speculation about pension timing. Under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), members of Congress become eligible for pensions after five years of service. Greene was first sworn in on January 3, 2021, meaning January 5, 2026 would give her just over five years of service, qualifying her for a taxpayer-funded congressional pension.

Critics, including government watchdog groups and political opponents, characterized the timing as calculated to maximize personal financial benefit while portraying herself as a principled martyr. Greene’s congressional salary of $174,000 annually, combined with five years of service, would entitle her to a pension beginning at age 62 (she was 51 at the time of announcement). The pension amount would be calculated based on her years of service and average highest three years of salary.

When asked about Greene’s resignation announcement, Trump told ABC News it was “great news for the country,” adding he had no plans to speak with her. The dismissive response underscored how completely Greene had fallen from favor within Trump’s inner circle. Other Trump allies and prominent Republicans largely remained silent on her resignation, suggesting either satisfaction at her departure or fear of angering Trump by defending her.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp will be required to call a special election in 2026 to fill Greene’s seat representing Georgia’s heavily Republican 14th Congressional District. The district, which Trump won by 29 points in 2024, is virtually certain to remain in Republican hands. However, Greene’s departure creates an opening for a more establishment-aligned Republican to potentially win the seat, as Trump would likely endorse a loyalist to replace her.

Greene’s resignation significantly weakens the already narrow House Republican majority. At the time of her announcement, Republicans held 219 seats to Democrats’ 213 (with three vacancies). Her departure on January 5 would reduce the Republican majority to 218-213, leaving Speaker Mike Johnson with virtually no margin for error on partisan votes. The timing coincides with the opening of the new congressional session, potentially complicating Johnson’s re-election as speaker.

The announcement caps a congressional career defined by controversy, confrontation, and conspiracy theories. Greene had promoted QAnon theories before her election, suggested Jewish space lasers caused California wildfires, harassed school shooting survivors, and been stripped of her committee assignments by Democrats in 2021. Republicans restored her to committees after taking the majority in 2023, including giving her a seat on the Homeland Security Committee.

Despite her controversies, Greene had been effective at fundraising and building a national political brand among the most hardcore Trump supporters. Her resignation suggests limits to that brand’s sustainability without Trump’s active support. Some political analysts speculated she might pursue a 2028 presidential run, positioning herself as a MAGA candidate willing to stand up to Trump on issues of principle, though such a campaign would face enormous obstacles without Trump movement infrastructure.

Greene’s confrontational style and willingness to use procedural tactics like motions to vacate had made her a constant thorn in leadership’s side. She filed a motion to vacate against Speaker Mike Johnson in March 2024 and forced a vote in May 2024, which failed 359-43. Her departure removes a source of persistent instability from the Republican caucus, though it also eliminates one of the chamber’s most outspoken hardline conservatives.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democratic leaders largely refrained from commenting on Greene’s resignation, though some progressive Democrats expressed satisfaction at her departure. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez posted on social media: “Bye,” capturing the left’s view that Greene’s exit improved the overall quality of congressional discourse.

The resignation joins a broader wave of congressional departures for the 2026 cycle. Greene became the 41st House member and 11th senator announced as not seeking reelection, though most others simply chose not to run again rather than resigning mid-term. Her mid-term resignation creates additional complications for Republicans by triggering a special election while the party defends a narrow majority.

Greene’s future plans beyond Congress remained uncertain at the time of her announcement. Some speculated she might pursue right-wing media opportunities, launch a political action committee, or attempt a political comeback in a different capacity. Her high name recognition and proven fundraising ability suggested she would remain a presence in conservative politics, even without an official government position.

The falling out between Trump and Greene illustrates the internal contradictions and personal loyalty demands of MAGA politics, where ideological consistency matters less than absolute fealty to Trump personally. Greene discovered that even years of unwavering support provided no protection once she challenged Trump on an issue he considered important. Her resignation represents both a personal tragedy for someone who sacrificed much to support Trump and a cautionary tale about the authoritarian dynamics of personality-driven political movements.

The episode also highlighted the Epstein files as a uniquely fraught issue that cut across traditional partisan lines and exposed Trump to criticism from unexpected quarters. Greene’s willingness to prioritize protecting alleged abuse victims over maintaining Trump’s favor suggested that even the most committed MAGA adherents had lines they wouldn’t cross, even at the cost of their political careers.