US lawmaker Greene leaves post following clash with Trump over Epstein files
Republican from Georgia steps down after she accused US president of preventing files' release
ISTANBUL
US Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation from the House of Representatives took effect Monday, following a public clash with President Donald Trump over disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein files.
"It has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of Georgia's 14th congressional district," Greene wrote in letters to Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and US House Speaker Mike Johnson, leaving the office in the middle of her third term.
Kemp has 10 days to schedule a special election in the state’s 14th congressional district, where voters will choose a candidate to serve out the remainder of Greene’s term through 2026.
Republican Greene, one of Trump's most vocal allies, announced her resignation in late November, citing frustration with the "Political Industrial Complex" in Washington.
The dispute escalated after Greene broke with Trump on efforts to force the release of Justice Department files related to Epstein. Greene pushed for full transparency on the documents, criticizing what she called Trump's reversal on the issue.
She accused Trump of trying to prevent the Epstein files' release, saying her push for full transparency was at the heart of their rift.
Trump withdrew his endorsement of Greene and called her "wacky" and "ranting lunatic." He expressed pleasure at her resignation, calling it "great news for the country."
* Diyar Guldogan from Washington, DC contributed to this report
