US Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, once a staunch ally of Donald Trump, announced on Friday (Nov 21) that she will resign from the House of Representatives, effective January 5. Greene cited a breakdown in loyalty, writing on social media that "loyalty should be a two-way street" while Congress has been largely sidelined during the Trump administration.

Her recent clash with Trump has raised concerns among some Republicans that his MAGA base could fracture ahead of next year’s midterm elections, when Democrats aim to reclaim control of Congress. Greene’s departure will reduce the Republican House majority to 218 over the Democrats’ 213, while Republicans maintain a 53-47 lead in the Senate.

Greene, previously a fierce supporter of Trump and the MAGA movement, recently adopted positions at odds with the White House and some party members, prompting Trump to withdraw his endorsement. She pointed to her efforts to release government files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and her characterization of Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide as sources of tension.

Trump, who had dismissed the Epstein issue as a “Democrat hoax,” signed a bill this week to release the documents after strong bipartisan support in Congress. In her resignation statement, Greene said she values her self-respect, family, and district too much to engage in a contentious primary against Trump’s preferred candidate, warning that such a battle could harm Republicans’ midterm prospects. “I refuse to be a 'battered wife' hoping it all goes away and gets better,” she added.