Trump urges MTG to halt attacks on Johnson in private conversation

Over the weekend, Donald Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) had a phone call in which the former president advised her to back off from her threat to force a vote to oust Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), according to three Republicans familiar with the matter.

Publicly, Trump has praised Johnson’s leadership and has said he is opposed to motions to vacate the speaker. Now in private, Trump told Greene not to proceed with her threats to oust Johnson.

On Steve Bannon’s podcast, Greene asserted she is Trump’s strongest supporter in Washington.

“But everybody is trying to pretend like there’s a problem between us,” Greene said. “And I’m going to tell you right now: There is not.”

Greene hinted at her conversation with the former president, stating “I’m just not someone that runs around and talks about my conversations with him. I don’t speak for President Trump and what he has to say.”

Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) acknowledged that the nearly two-hour weekend phone conversation between Greene and Trump did, in fact, happen. The phone call also featured Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who was the second Republican to back Greene in her ejection threat.

“I have it under very, very good sources that President Trump did engage,” Zinke said. “And I’m hoping that perhaps one would come to the conclusion: ‘You made your point. But don’t be Kamikaze, because if you go for this, you’re going to get beaten down. And he made that point. I’m hoping that’s the outcome.”

Trump has emphasized how important it is that Republicans stay united heading into November, and he reached out to Johnson on Monday to reiterate that he has the speaker’s back.

“The President was very strong in his endorsement of Johnson at the RNC event this weekend,” said a Republican in attendance. “He repeatedly said what a good job Johnson is doing under impossible circumstances.”

On Tuesday, Johnson and Greene will be meeting to discuss ways to defund special counsel Jack Smith in appropriations bills for fiscal 2025, which could risk a government shutdown just before the November election.

Some Republicans warned that Greene’s antics could cost her politically and are testing the boundaries with Trump. However, Trump allies say the former president does not see her efforts to oust Johnson as disloyal.

Some Republicans fear Johnson could be put into a corner with Greene with the expectation of cutting special deals.

“I don’t have a problem with him listening,” Republican Study Committee Chairman Kevin Hern (R-OK) said. “What I will have a problem with … is when you start making special deals, side deals, hidden deals, behind-closed-door deals, and then not just conservatives but moderates say, ‘Well, what about my deal?’”

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However, Johnson said he frequently holds meetings with Republicans wanting to speak with him.

“It’s not a negotiation,” Johnson said. “Everybody knows I have lengthy discussions, detailed discussions with members across the conference.”