Exclusive: MTG goes after Johnson again — this time over Cory Mills comments
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House Speaker Mike Johnson talks to Rep. Marjorie Tayler Greene as they arrive for the first day of the 119th Congress on Jan. 3. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) accused Speaker Mike Johnson of "hypocrisy" for brushing off questions about a protective order issued against Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.).
Why it matters: It's the latest example of a pattern that has defined Greene's time in Congress: supporting leaders when it suits her political agenda and scorching them when it doesn't.
- Greene leveled the hypocrisy jab at Johnson (R-La.) during an interview with Axios on Thursday.
- She was referring to Johnson telling reporters a day earlier that he would prefer to "talk about something serious" than address the protective order issued against Mills for allegedly threatening to release sexually explicit photos and videos of his ex-girlfriend.
Driving the news: "They expelled George Santos, Mike Johnson did. He was Speaker and oversaw George Santos being expelled. Why isn't he doing anything about Cory Mills?" Greene told Axios.
- "There's clearly proof behind her accusations that a judge is issuing a restraining order. So I would say to Speaker Johnson, this is a serious matter, and it needs to be taken seriously."
- Mills has previously denied the allegations.
The other side: Johnson did not vote in favor of expelling former Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) from Congress and warned at the time about the dangerous precedent it would set to expel a member before they are convicted of a crime.
- He called the House vote on expelling Santos "a regrettable day."
- "Our party believes in the rule of law and due process, and we're deeply concerned about preserving those things," Johnson said on "Fox and Friends." "And, you know, maybe he will be convicted by a jury of his peers, but that hasn't happened yet. And that's why we had reservations about it."
- Santos subsequently pleaded guilty to identity theft and wire fraud and is serving an 87-month prison sentence.
Johnson, reacting to Greene's comments, told reporters Friday: "I try not to react to what Marjorie Taylor Greene says every day...Somebody told me she accused me of ousting Santos, which, of course is the exact opposite of the history."
Between the lines: Greene's willingness to tangle with fellow Republicans extends beyond Johnson.
- She was one of only four Republicans to sign Rep. Thomas Massie's (R-Ky.) discharge petition to unseal files related to the government's Jeffrey Epstein probe — a move she says most GOP colleagues avoided out of fear of getting "yelled at by the president" or being "iced out by leadership."
- Greene said she plans to read a list of names from Epstein's victims on the House floor soon and has only gotten a description of who the people are so far.
- "These are people that, if they get exposed, they got a lot to lose. And when people are in that position, that makes you concerned," she said.
Greene predicted that the discharge petition could ultimately get 400 votes in the House.
What's next: Greene signaled she plans to seek reelection in 2026 but ruled out any Senate or gubernatorial bids, calling the Senate "the land of frustration."
- "I don't want to serve in a place more frustrating than the House," she said.
The bottom line: Her latest criticism of Johnson adds to a long list of internal clashes.
- She stunned colleagues when she sided with Democrats on extending expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies and has publicly cast doubt on Johnson's government shutdown strategy.
- "If me saying those things are considered breaking with my party, then what is the Republican Party?" she said Thursday.
Go deeper: MTG slams parts of Trump's second-term agenda as "America Last"
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
