
GOP Infighting: Greene Accuses Johnson of Sexism
U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene speaking with attendees at the 2023 Turning Point Action Conference at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. Photo courtesy of Gage Skidmore under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene reportedly unleashed a fierce critique of her own party in a recent interview, targeting what she calls "weak Republican men" in Congress who, she says, are too intimidated to act while strong Republican women are sidelined. The Georgia lawmaker's comments came amid ongoing disputes over House leadership, government shutdown strategies, and the handling of sensitive Justice Department files.
Greene's Clash With GOP Leadership
Greene's sharpest attacks were aimed at House Speaker Mike Johnson, whom she accused of marginalizing women in the GOP conference, as reported by The Daily Beast. She contrasted Johnson's leadership with that of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, saying McCarthy actively recruited and supported talented Republican women, while Johnson's approach has pushed them aside. According to The Washington Post, Greene pointed out that only one Republican woman chairs a committee in the House — 82-year-old Virginia Foxx of the Rules Committee — a steep drop from the previous Congress when three GOP women held chair positions. In contrast, Democrats have five women chairing committees.
Greene also criticized Johnson's handling of Rep. Elise Stefanik's abrupt withdrawal from a nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik was reportedly pulled back to the House amid concerns about the GOP's slim majority. Greene described the role Johnson gave Stefanik afterward as "some honorary bulls---t role," suggesting it was a slight because she is a woman, as reported by The Daily Beast. Stefanik currently serves as chairwoman of House Republican leadership, but Greene said the treatment was "unbelievably insulting," as reported by The Washington Post.
'Weak Republican Men' and Intimidation
Greene said many Republican men in the House are "weak" and "more afraid of strong Republican women," as reported by The Daily Beast. She claimed these men try to marginalize women who want to "do something" and "achieve," because they feel intimidated. "They're always intimidated by stronger Republican women because we mean it and we will do it and we will make them look bad," Greene said, highlighting a gender dynamic she sees as central to the party's internal struggles.
Greene said her district voted for her because she ran on "trashing Republicans," so her confrontational style is no surprise to her constituents, as reported by The Washington Post.
Government Shutdown and Filibuster Dispute
Greene has been vocal about the ongoing government shutdown, accusing Republicans of lacking a plan for health care and calling for an end to the Senate filibuster. She argued that the Senate could reopen the government with just Republican votes by abolishing the 60-vote filibuster threshold. Johnson reportedly dismissed this as "math" that cannot be overcome, but Greene pointed to recent Senate rule changes that allowed a large group of nominees to be confirmed on a single vote, saying, "They just did it," according to The Washington Post.
She criticized the party's silence on rising insurance premiums, calling it "unforgivable" that families face hikes of $1,500 to $2,000 a month. Johnson responded that Greene does not serve on health care committees and likely isn't fully briefed on the issue. Greene countered that the committees "never talk about it" and that the problem is real and urgent for Americans, as reported by Latin Times.
Epstein Files and Bipartisan Petition
Greene is one of only a few Republicans who joined Democrats in a discharge petition forcing a floor vote on releasing all Justice Department files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Alongside Reps. Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace, Greene has faced criticism from the White House for this move, which President Trump and Speaker Johnson oppose. Greene said the issue is "disgusting" and that she and her female colleagues don't care if they get attacked for pushing it, as reported by The Washington Post.
She suggested many male colleagues cannot "relate" to the urgency of the Epstein files or the pressure to act, adding that they don't want to "get yelled at by the president" or Johnson, according to The Washington Post.
GOP Responses and Internal Tensions
Rep. Lisa McClain, the Republican conference chair, called Greene's claim that Johnson does not promote women "ridiculous," saying the speaker "has empowered women by treating them — and all members — with the respect they have earned" and that he "believes in merit, not identity politics," as reported by the Latin Times.
Johnson himself has pushed back against Greene's criticism, especially over health care and the shutdown, and reportedly had a "good discussion" with Greene after she sent him an article about the Senate's ability to change rules, as reported by The Washington Post. Despite the public feud, Johnson described their conversation as collegial.
Political Calculations and Future Moves
Greene declined to run for Senate in 2026 after a poll suggested she would lose to Democrat Jon Ossoff, dismissing the poll and saying she did not want to be part of the "uniparty" controlled Senate, as reported by The Washington Post.
Her outspoken stance and public disputes reveal a GOP wrestling with internal divisions, gender dynamics, and leadership challenges. Greene's willingness to break ranks and call out her own party's male leadership has sparked a fierce debate about power, gender, and loyalty in one of America's most male-dominated political arenas.
Whether Greene's revolt will lead to changes or deepen party divisions remains to be seen, but her words have certainly ignited a conversation about the state of the Republican Party.
References: Marjorie Taylor Greene, tearing into her own party, says GOP men in Congress are 'weak' | Marjorie Taylor Greene Tears Into 'Weak' Republican Men in Congress | Marjorie Taylor Greene Continues To Slam Congressional... | Marjorie Taylor Greene Continues To Slam Congressional Republicans: 'A Lot Of Men Here In The House Are Weak'