Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s efforts to remove House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), stating that she has become irrational.
According to Lawler, Greene has become irrational, possibly due to a space laser, and her behavior is unacceptable and does not help the conservative movement.
Lawler’s comment about a “space laser” refers to a controversial post from Greene (R-Ga.) in 2018, when she suggested that a “laser beam or light beam” from “space solar generators,” controlled by a wealthy Jewish family, might be to blame for devastating wildfires in California.
Lawler continued to say that the people causing problems for the House Republican majority are the ones engaging in these sorts of tactics.
Lawler’s comments followed the House’s vote on Wednesday to block to remove Johnson from the Speakership, which was led by Greene, who surprised many on Wednesday when she made a move to force a vote on her motion to vacate against Johnson.
In a The lower chamber passed a motion to table Greene’s resolution with a vote of 359-43-7, preventing it from being put to a vote. This outcome was not unexpected as several Republicans and Democrats had indicated they would support Johnson despite Greene's threats. Greene’s motion to vacate was publicly supported by only two other Republicans — Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Paul Gosar (Ariz.) — who cited Johnson’s recent policy decisions.
Lawler argued that Greene and others who hinder the Speaker’s ability to negotiate are at least partially to blame for the lack of action on several conservative priorities in Congress.
Lawler said, “Members in our conference who have continually undermined the Speaker’s ability to negotiate … that is why if they’re so upset about the things that haven’t happened, they should take a look in the mirror, starting with Marjorie Taylor Greene.”
The New York Republican was one of several GOP members to criticize Greene’s efforts. Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) on Wednesday
called the attempt a “petty political stunt.” “Some members would rather upend Republicans’ work instead of advancing the conservative agenda. Americans sent us to Washington to govern,” Womack
wrote in a post on social platform X. Johnson thanked his colleagues for their support after the failed vote on Wednesday, saying, “As I’ve said from the beginning, and I’ve made clear every day, I intend to do my job. I intend to do what I believe to be the right thing, which is what I was elected to do, and I’ll let the chips fall where they may. In my view, that is leadership.”
The Hill reached out to Greene’s office for comment.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) criticized Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s efforts to unseat House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), accusing her of irrational behavior. He referred to her as “Moscow Marjorie” and insinuated that she might be acting irrationally due to a space laser. He stated that her behavior is unacceptable and…
The Hill reached out to Greene’s office for comment.
