Epstein discharge push exposes MAGA split as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene defies White House
A discharge petition to force a House vote on Jeffrey Epstein files is nearing the 218 signatures needed — Rep. Thomas Massie expects the 218th via the Arizona special election, Adelita Grijalva has pledged to sign if elected, and several Republicans (including Nancy Mace, Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert) are already on the petition while Speaker Mike Johnson urged GOP restraint and Rules Chair Virginia Foxx said she won’t block a floor vote. The push has exposed a MAGA split as Greene publicly defied White House warnings — calling a top West Wing aide, saying “You didn’t get me elected. I do not work for you; I work for my district,” and signaling she will not remain a party team player despite threats of primaries or exclusion from White House events.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"The Playbook piece argues that many down‑ballot Republicans are strategically moving away from pressing the Epstein files fight—seeing it as a distracting, low‑return issue—and are refocusing on more electorally potent themes ahead of 2026."
📰 Sources (2)
- Greene called a top West Wing aide to push back after White House warnings that backing the Epstein‑files measure would be viewed as a 'very hostile act.'
- Greene provided on‑the‑record quotes recounting the exchange and saying, 'You didn’t get me elected. I do not work for you; I work for my district.'
- Greene signaled she no longer acts as a party 'team player' in Congress and described bluntly resisting threats of primaries or exclusion from White House events.
- Petition needs 218 House signatures to force a discharge vote; Massie expects the 218th signature can be secured this Tuesday via the Arizona special election.
- Adelita Grijalva, the Democrat projected to win the AZ‑7 special election, has told Axios she will sign the petition if elected; several House Republicans (Nancy Mace, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert) are already on the petition.
- House leaders: Speaker Mike Johnson has urged Republicans to avoid signing while Rules Chair Virginia Foxx says her panel will not block a floor vote on the petition.