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Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said Monday it seems Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has had “a surprisingly enlightened few weeks,” commenting on the MAGA firebrand’s recent break from Republican colleagues she has blamed for the government shutdown and criticized over the Epstein files.
When asked by MSNBC if he has met with Greene, Jeffries said he has not, but noted, “It does seem to many of us that she’s had a surprisingly enlightened few weeks.”
Jeffries, the top-ranking House Democrat, referred to Greene’s push for the Justice Department to release investigation files concerning late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Jeffries also nodded to Greene placing blame against House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., for the government shutdown and the upcoming expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies at the heart of the closure.
“Republicans have no interest, zero interest, in trying to address the healthcare crisis that they’ve visited upon the American people,” Jeffries added.
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Greene, who for years had been seen as one of President Donald Trump’s most fervent firebrand supporters in Congress, told CNN that Trump is “not always getting the best advice from his staff,” expressing concern from those with the GOP who believe the shutdown could help Republicans in midterm elections. “I also don’t think it’s good advice that Republicans ignoring the health insurance crisis is gonna be good for midterms,” Greene added. “I actually think that would be very bad for midterms.” Green accused Republicans in a tweet of lacking “a plan to help Americans deal with their health insurance premiums DOUBLING!!!” Greene made the comment as health insurance costs could double for Americans receiving Affordable Care Act subsidies if they are allowed to expire. “I’m not towing the party line on this, or playing loyalty games…I’m carving my own lane,” she said.
The congresswoman also took aim at Trump’s tariffs in a podcast appearance with comedian Tim Dillon. "We're having problems with these tariffs," Greene said, speaking as American companies deal with fallout from the tariffs. “We can't get supplies from this country, and we can't get supplies from this country.” Greene also added regarding tariffs, “It shouldn’t be about helping your crypto donors, or your AI donors, or welcoming these people that hated you and spent money to try to beat you, but all of a sudden are excited to come out to the new Rose Garden patio. That shouldn’t be the focus.”
The government has been shut down for 12 days, with the White House explicitly placing blame on Democrats, with a ticker on its official website. About 40% of the federal workforce is on unpaid leave, with the hardest hit agencies including the Treasury Department (nearly 1,500 people laid off) and the Department of Health and Human Services (up to 1,200 people laid off). Oddsmakers are predicting the shutdown could be the longest in American history as Democrats and Republicans appear to be making no tangible progress toward an agreement to reopen the government. Democrats have accused Republicans of causing the shutdown, noting the GOP’s control of the House, the Senate and the White House. Republicans have done the same to Democrats, with Johnson blaming Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., questioning how long he will “let this pain go on — for his own selfish reasons?”
Government Shutdown Day 13: Betting Odds Now Favor Longest Shutdown In History (Forbes)
Marjorie Taylor Greene Blames GOP Leaders For Shutdown—In Latest Break With Her Own Party (Forbes)