Republican Representative Ken Buck has criticized fellow GOP member Marjorie Taylor Greene for her flip-flop on the issue of impeaching Democratic President Joe Biden.
Despite previously advocating for Biden’s impeachment and filing articles of impeachment against him on his first day in office, Greene recently urged Congress not to rush an impeachment vote and instead opt for an impeachment inquiry, causing confusion within her party.
Talking to MSNBC’s Inside with Jen Psaki, Buck ridiculed Greene, stating, “The idea that she is now the expert on impeachment or that she is someone who should set the timing on impeachment is absurd.”
The debate over whether to impeach President Biden has become a contentious issue within the Republican Party, with Greene’s change of stance adding fuel to the fire.
Buck emphasized that there is currently no evidence linking Biden to a high crime or misdemeanor, which is typically the basis for an impeachment.
Marjorie Taylor Greene responded to Buck’s criticism on social media, questioning when he would announce that he’s a Democrat and accusing him of shilling for Joe Biden.
Buck vs. Marjorie Taylor Greene
This recent clash between Buck and Greene is not the first, as the two Republicans have exchanged blows multiple times this summer.
Their differences extend beyond the impeachment issue, with Greene also criticizing Buck for his defense of January 6 defendants’ treatment and his vote to certify the 2020 presidential election results.
While the Republican Party grapples with internal divisions over the issue of impeaching President Biden, it remains to be seen how this dispute between Buck and Greene will impact their political futures and the broader party dynamics.
Republicans Remain Divided
In June Republicans decided not to immediately vote on an impeachment resolution led by Representative Lauren Boebert.
Instead, they referred it to the Homeland Security and Judiciary committees amid internal GOP tensions. McCarthy had argued against an immediate impeachment vote, suggesting that the Oversight Committee and Judiciary Committee should conclude their ongoing investigations into the Bidens before pursuing impeachment proceedings.
While House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy has floated the idea of an impeachment inquiry, some moderate Republicans remain conflicted about whether to launch a formal inquiry, which is typically the initial step before impeachment proceedings.
Last month McCarthy told Fox News that Congress demanded access to President Biden’s family bank and credit card statements, or else face the initiation of an impeachment inquiry.
Douglas E. Schoen, a former aide to President Bill Clinton, argued in a column for The Hill on Monday, that previous Presidential impeachments, including that of his former boss, saw poll numbers rise post-proceedings. He also highlighted how the case has been the same for Donald Trump. Yet, such actions also eroded trust in government institutions.
These dynamics raise concerns, especially among Senate Republicans, that moving forward with impeachment could alienate moderate voters and establish a precedent for politically motivated impeachment.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
