Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a Republican, spoke for more than three hours Friday during a hearing in which rivals are seeking her disqualification as a reelection candidate, citing her role in the January 6 uprising.
Greene’s rivals repeatedly emphasized how, in the weeks leading up to January 6, he posted inflammatory words and videos on social media. These posts, according to the challengers, helped fuel the attack on the Capitol, and therefore she supported the insurgency.
Greene’s testimony, however, did not demonstrate that she plotted violence or collaborated with anyone involved in the January 6 riots.
Because the challengers must prove that Greene engaged in insurgency, that gap in their case could jeopardize their chances of dismissing her.
Greene claimed she couldn’t recall speaking with any Republican politicians or White House officials about the threat of violence on January 6. She also stated that she had no recollection of posting a few of tweets on her account claiming that the 2020 election was fraudulent.
And shortly before lawyers for the challengers released a tape of her indicating she opposed a peaceful transition of power to Joe Biden, she stated she didn’t remember saying that.
Greene stated she didn’t know anything about the Proud Boys, a right-wing extremist group with dozens of members that stormed the US Capitol. When questioned if they were an extremist group, she replied, “I’m aware of their existence. I’m not sure what they do. I’m not familiar with the Proud Boys.”
The representative stated that she “had no knowledge of any attempt” on January 6 to improperly tamper with the electoral vote count. Greene also testified that during her discussions with then-President Donald Trump prior to January 6, she never lobbied for him to declare martial law.
In the courtroom, the fiery Republican lawmaker was joined by one of her closest congressional allies, Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz, who sat alongside her legal team. Greene was greeted with thunderous clapping and cheers as he entered the courtroom. The room was promptly reprimanded by a court security official, who stated that outbursts would not be tolerated.
