Top Senate Republican Says Majority Of House GOP Chose QAnon Over Limited Government
Topline
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the No. 2 Republican in the Senate, indicated Thursday that the House Republican conference failed to heed his warning and chose the QAnon conspiracy theory over traditional conservative values – the latest sign of fracturing in the House and Senate GOP caucuses over the right-wing elements of their party.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 19: Sen. John Thune (R-SD) appears during a Senate Finance Committee … [+]
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Key Facts
Thune is among the Senate Republicans who have condemned Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) – who has attracted significant controversy for her past promotion of QAnon and other conspiracy theories – and called on the House GOP to do the same.
Thune on Tuesday warned the House GOP would have to “decide who they want to be” in their decision on Greene – the party of limited government, fiscal responsibility and other traditionally conservative values, or “the party of conspiracy theories and QAnon.”
But House Republicans declined to boot Greene from her committee assignments, defended her from a Democratic attempt to remove her themselves – even as they denounced her comments – and gave her a standing ovation after she reportedly disowned her comments at a closed-door meeting on Wednesday.
Asked by CNN’s Manu Raju on Thursday whether the House GOP chose QAnon over limited government in their decision on Greene, Thune replied: “that tended to be where the majority was over there,” according to pool reports.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) had a similarly negative response, telling CNN’s Jim Sciutto that Greene “discredits the conservative movement” and that, “as far as I’m concerned, she’s not in my tent.”
Key Background
Greene has, in the past, embraced the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory, promoted conspiracy theories about 9/11, school shootings and Jewish space lasers, and even publicly berated a survivor of the Parkland shooting. She also posted a meme during the campaign of her holding a gun next to photos of several Democratic lawmakers. Her appointment to the House Education & Labor Committee last month prompted outcry from Democrats in light of her comments about school shootings – leading to an effort to remove her from her committees.
Big Number
146. That’s how many House Republicans voted, on a secret ballot, to retain Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) as House GOP Conference chair even after she voted to impeach Trump, compared to just 61 who voted to oust her – a possible sign that, at least in private, many Republicans would like to break with Trump and bolster the pre-Trump establishment.
Surprising Fact
Some House Republicans who were at the meeting and typically do not break with their party said they are fully not satisfied with Greene’s speech. Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Tex.) said he’d like to see “more public statements” from Greene, adding “I want to see her do it on Twitter,” according to pool reports.
Chief Critic
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who frequently breaks with the establishment, told reporters Greene’s speech was “contrite” and “excellent,” and suggested Greene has apologized “at some point and people just aren’t listening,” according to pool reports. Pressed further, Massie asked “why should she apologize to you all” and claimed “everybody in Georgia supports her.”
Tangent
Greene has not repeated her private statements publicly, tweeting after the meeting about the money she raised and stating “they want to cancel every Republican. Don’t let the mob win.” Greene declined to take reporters’ questions on Thursday.
Crucial Quote
“I remain profoundly concerned about House Republicans’ leadership acceptance of extreme conspiracy theorists,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said at a press conference on Thursday. “You would think that the Republican leadership in the Congress would have some sense of responsibility to this institution.”
What To Watch For
Democrats are poised to strip Greene of her committee assignments in a floor vote on Thursday after passing a resolution to do so in the House Rules Committee by a party-line vote. Republicans have complained that parties are supposed to handle their own members’ committee assignments and Democrats removing Greene could set a dangerous precedent, but Pelosi said Thursday she is “not at all” concerned, adding, “If any of our members threatened the safety of other members, we’d be the first ones to take them off of a committee.”
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