US House defeats Greene’s effort to oust Speaker

The United States House of Representatives swiftly and overwhelmingly defeated an effort by firebrand Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene to remove Speaker Mike Johnson (pic), a fellow Republican, from his leadership role.

Democrats joined Republicans in a 359-43 vote to protect Johnson’s speakership, in a bid to avoid a replay of the chaos that occurred in October when Republicans ousted his predecessor, Kevin Mccarthy.

Greene’s move represented a rare Republican defiance of presidential candidate Donald Trump, who in a social media post following the House vote on Wednesday, said it was “not the time” for Republicans to try to push out their own speaker.

Greene’s measure, known as a motion to vacate, showcased the disorder that has marked Republicans’ slim 217-213 House majority, particularly since it had been clear that the effort would fail given Democrats’ opposition.

“I appreciate the show of confidence from my colleagues to defeat this misguided effort,” Johnson, 52, said following the vote.

“Hopefully this is the end of the character assassination that has characterised the current Congress.”

Multiple Republicans criticised Greene’s move, including centrist Representative Marc Molinaro.

“This is not an individual who knows how to lead,” Molinaro said of Greene.

“She’s not an individual who knows how to negotiate. And she certainly doesn’t seem to have any concern for the stability of the Congress or the people we represent.”

Greene stood flanked by fellow Republican Thomas Massie when she made her move against Johnson, criticising him for a string of compromises with Democrats, who hold a majority in the Senate.

“Excuses like ‘this is just how you have to govern in divided government’ are pathetic, weak and unacceptable,” Greene said of Johnson.

“Even with our razor-thin Republican majority we could have at least secured the border.”