Marjorie Taylor Greene's five years in Congress will come to an early end on January 5 after she unexpectedly announced her resignation following a bitter rift with President Donald Trump. The surprise move from the Georgia congresswoman—a rising star in the Republican party—has left many speculating about her next steps.
Her decision follows a public fallout with Trump, who branded her a traitor and said he would endorse her opponent in next year's election. It comes after months of Greene's blistering criticism on the Trump administration's refusal to release files related to the investigation into the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, along with several of Trump's policy positions.
Rumors have already begun circulating that Greene, 51, might run for president in 2028, which she immediately shot down. So, if not the Oval Office, what is next for Greene?
Run for president in 2028
Although she claims she has no interest in the presidency now, having a future change of heart is not an unknown feature of US politics. When Greene signed a petition to force a vote requiring the release of the files related to Epstein—over Trump's objections—it went on to a bill authored by her Democratic colleague, Ro Khanna.
Khanna told NBC News after Greene's latest announcement that she was likely to be a formidable 2028 candidate, adding that she was more in touch with Trump's base than his number two, Vice-President JD Vance. Time Magazine also reported that Greene privately told allies she was considering a presidential bid, but she quickly dismissed the assertion as a complete lie. Greene has notably distanced herself from her party's positions— and from the president—whom she once ardently supported.
A possible run for governor or Senate
Greene has not explicitly ruled out the possibility of running for Georgia governor or to represent her state in the US Senate. Elections for both take place in 2026. With two-time Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp unable to run again due to term limits, the field of possible replacements is wide open. Greene could also leverage her connection to attempt to unseat Democrat Jon Ossoff, who is up for re-election next year.
However, experts suggest she may face unpopularity outside her immediate district. Kennesaw State University Professor of Political Science, Kerwin Swint, notes that Trump is aware of her unpopularity statewide, stating she would probably get obliterated if she ran for statewide office.
Entering the conservative media landscape
Several political analysts predict that Greene will start a podcast and attempt to maintain her public presence by building her media profile. Former politicians have successfully transitioned to media roles, which includes many who have launched podcasts post-politics.
Additionally, she could choose to become a conservative commentator on networks such as CNN, where she has made several appearances recently.
Leave politics behind completely
In her resignation announcement, Greene hinted at a potential retreat from politics to spend more time with her family, citing the emotional toll from never-ending personal attacks and threats. Greene, who also runs a successful commercial construction company, indicated that this could mark a significant shift in her career.
