SACHA PFEIFFER, HOST:
Back here in Washington, President Trump said he was caught off-guard by U.S. representative Marjorie Taylor Greene's abrupt announcement last night that she would resign from Congress in January.
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MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE: I do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president that we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms.
PFEIFFER: This comes after months of tension between her and President Trump. Greene was once one of the president's most loyal defenders, but she split from him on a number of issues this fall, and Trump recently pulled his endorsement of her and called her a traitor. Georgia Public Broadcasting's Sarah Kallis has talked with some of Greene's constituents and is with us now. Hi, Sarah.
SARAH KALLIS, BYLINE: Hi.
PFEIFFER: Give us a brief description of Congressman - woman Greene's district.
KALLIS: So Greene's District is in northwest Georgia. It's a mix of rural and suburban counties. It's one of the most conservative districts in Georgia, and she won with over 64% of the vote in 2024. The district is - overwhelmingly backed Trump as well in the last election.
PFEIFFER: I understand you've talked with some of her constituents. How did they tell you they felt after her break from Trump?
KALLIS: So Greene is very popular in her district, and I visited the district about two days before she announced her resignation. People told me that they felt like this tension between her and Trump is just politics, and they have bigger concerns. Pam Larschiede, for example, lives in Greene's district. She's supportive of both Trump and Greene and wishes they would make amends.
PAM LARSCHIEDE: I think he should get over it and, yes, support her.
KALLIS: Some constituents, like Josh Williams, who have backed her opponents say they don't quite believe all of what she said.
JOSH WILLIAMS: I'm glad that she has seen the light, as she is, like, purporting, but I don't think that she's - I think she's a grifter, and I think she is ultimately looking at her next opportunity.
PFEIFFER: How do her constituents feel about how she represented them and whether she heard their concerns?
KALLIS: So one of Greene's major breaks with her party was over the Affordable Care Act and health care costs. The people in her district tell me that they're most worried about affordability, so that falls in line with them. Here is constituent Jodi May.
JODI MAY: Maybe she could help the poor people out. Trump was going to help the poor people out till he changed his mind.
KALLIS: May also said that he feels like she's embodying so-called America First more than Trump with her views on foreign policy. Greene has also mentioned high housing costs as another issue her district is facing, and that could especially resonate with young voters.
PFEIFFER: And Sarah, were people in Georgia surprised by her announcement?
KALLIS: Yeah, it certainly seems like it. The Floyd County Republican Party in Greene's home city issued a statement in support of her and President Trump that says, quote, to say we will miss her would be an understatement. The Georgia GOP also issued a letter of support, and Chairman Josh McKoon said that her resignation was a surprise to him, as well.
PFEIFFER: One consequence of her announcement is that her resignation will trigger a special election in Georgia. Who may join that race?
KALLIS: Well, despite Trump yanking his endorsement of Greene, no major players waded into a primary against her initially. But all eyes will be on the state senators and representatives who represent her district in the Georgia legislature. State Senator Colton Moore, who represents that area, says that he's exploring a run already. And so obviously, a Trump endorsement would be very coveted in that race, but a Greene endorsement could also be a big get for a candidate if she decides to endorse. And the Democrat who ran against her last cycle, Shawn Harris, says that he will run for her old seat again when that special election comes.
PFEIFFER: That is Georgia Public Broadcasting's Sarah Kallis. Sarah, thank you.
KALLIS: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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