Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, a once-loyal supporter of President Donald Trump who has become a critic, said Friday that she is resigning from Congress in January.

In a more than 10-minute video posted online, Greene explained her decision and said she has “always been despised in Washington, D.C., and just never fit in.”

Greene’s announcement follows a public fallout with Trump in recent months, as the congresswoman criticized him for his stance on files related to Jeffrey Epstein, along with foreign policy and health care.

Trump branded her a “traitor” and “wacky” and said he would endorse a primary challenge against her next year.

Greene said her last day will be Jan. 5.

Trump said Greene’s resignation is "great news for the country."

Republican reactions vary

The president told ABC News in a brief phone call Friday night that he has no plans to speak with Greene but wishes her well.

Josh McKoon, chairman for Georgia's Republican party, thanked Greene “for her fierce and unwavering service” in Congress,  calling her “a tireless fighter for America First principles, conservative values, and holding the establishment accountable — qualities that helped deliver victories for Republicans.”

Posting on social media, McKoon called Greene’s decision to step down “a surprise amid recent challenges” and said the party would “work diligently to ensure a conservative warrior” is elected in her heavily Republican district.

Meanwhile, conservative influencer Laura Loomer said Greene’s departure from Congress will reduce the GOP’s already-slim House majority and hamper Trump’s agenda ahead of the 2026 midterms.

“She wants the Democrats to win,” Loomer said on the social platform X.

Greene's discontent dates back at least to May. That was when she announced she would not run for Senate against Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff, while attacking GOP donors and consultants who feared she could not win. When Trump disowned her in a social media post Nov. 14, he said he sent Greene a poll showing that she “didn’t have a chance.”

Greene’s restlessness only intensified in July, when she announced that she would not run for governor, either. She argued that a political “good ole boy” system was endangering Republican control of the state.

Greene said she didn't want to subject herself to what promised to be a bruising primary.

“I have too much self respect and dignity, love my family way too much, and do not want my sweet district to have to endure a hurtful and hateful primary against me by the president we all fought for,” Greene said.

Republicans will likely lose the midterms, she added, and then she would “be expected to defend the president against impeachment after he hatefully dumped tens of millions of dollars against me and tried to destroy me.”

“It’s all so absurd and completely unserious,” Greene said. “I refuse to be a battered wife hoping it all goes away and gets better.”

Special election needed

Since January, she said, her bills “just sit collecting dust.” She complained that Speaker Mike Johnson kept the House out of session during the government shutdown.

“That’s how it is for most members of Congress’ bills,” Greene said. “The speaker never brings them to the floor for a vote.”

Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will have to set a special election date within 10 days of Greene’s resignation.

It would include party primaries and a general election to fill out the remainder of her term through January 2027.

Those votes could take place before the party primaries in May for the next two-year term.

Tied to Trump

Greene, in her video, underscored her longtime loyalty to Trump except on a few issues and said it was “unfair and wrong” that he attacked her for disagreeing.

“Loyalty should be a two-way street, and we should be able to vote our conscience and represent our district’s interest, because our job title is literally ‘representative,’” she said.

Greene swept to office at the forefront of the MAGA movement and swiftly became a lightning rod on Capitol Hill for her often beyond mainstream views.

Yet over time she proved a deft legislator, having aligned herself with then-GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, who would go on to become House speaker. She was a trusted voice on the right flank until he was ousted in 2023.