WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a high-profile Republican from Georgia, announced on Friday, November 21, 2025, that she will resign from Congress. Her final day in office is set for January 5, 2026. The decision follows a weeks-long, public falling out with former President Donald Trump, once her staunchest ally.

The feud between the two prominent figures in the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement escalated over Greene's persistent calls for the release of government files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This stance put her at odds with Trump, who initially resisted the move before signing a bill to release the records. In a series of social media posts, Trump labeled Greene a "traitor" and "wacky," and pledged to support a primary challenger to unseat her in the next election.

In a video statement posted on social media, Greene addressed the acrimonious split. "I refuse to be a 'battered wife' hoping it all goes away and gets better," she said, alluding to the political attacks against her. She added that she did not want her district to "endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the President we all fought for, only to fight and win my election while Republicans will likely lose the midterms."

Reacting to the news, Trump told ABC News on Friday that Greene's resignation was "great news for the country."

A Fractured Alliance and its Implications

Marjorie Taylor Greene was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020 and quickly became one of Trump's most vocal defenders, championing his "America First" agenda. Her departure from Congress highlights significant ideological divisions within the Republican party. The dispute over the Epstein files, an issue that once unified Trump's base, became a divisive flashpoint, revealing the personalistic and often volatile nature of political alliances within the MAGA movement.

Greene's resignation will leave her seat in Georgia's 14th congressional district vacant, potentially tightening the Republican's narrow majority in the House of Representatives until a special election is held. Her prediction that Republicans could lose the 2026 midterm elections points to a broader concern about party unity and direction.

Why U.S. Political Instability Matters for Kenya

While the internal politics of the U.S. Republican party may seem distant, the outcomes have tangible implications for Kenya and the East Africa region. The United States is a key strategic partner for Kenya, a relationship formalized in May 2024 when it was designated a Major Non-NATO Ally—the first in sub-Saharan Africa. This partnership covers critical areas of security, trade, and development aid.

Political instability and sharp ideological battles within a major U.S. party can lead to unpredictable foreign policy. A shift in party control or policy focus, particularly influenced by an "America First" approach, could impact existing agreements on military aid, counterterrorism cooperation against threats like Al-Shabaab, and trade pacts such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Kenyan policymakers and citizens closely monitor these developments, as a change in U.S. administration or congressional priorities can alter the terms of engagement on everything from security support to health and economic programmes. The continuity of long-term partnerships relies on a degree of political stability and predictability in Washington D.C.