Another Republican Backs Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Motion to Vacate Speaker Johnson

Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) declared on Friday that he is backing a motion to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).

The motion to vacate the speakership was filed by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and recently gained the support of Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) as Johnson is attempting to push through billions in foreign aid in the House.

In a statement, Gosar referenced the southern border as the reason he’s supporting the motion to vacate. A number of Republicans in the House have pushed for border reforms to be tied to any further funding for Ukraine.

“My congressional district in Arizona, ground zero for the invasion, is getting pummeled by the surge of lawbreakers. These illegal aliens have brought violent crime, deadly drugs, human trafficking and are depleting resources and services meant for U.S. citizens,” Gosar wrote.

The congressman went on to refer to the war between Ukraine and Russia as “purposeless” and argued funds for Ukraine would be better spent at the southern border.

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I have added my name in support of the motion to vacate the Speaker,” Gosar wrote. “Our border cannot be an afterthought. We need a Speaker who puts America first rather than bending to the reckless demands of the warmongers, neo-cons and the military industrial complex making billions from a costly and endless war half a world away.”

Johnson said this week he will not resign amid threats of removal from inside his own party.

“It is in my view an absurd notion that someone would bring a vacate motion when we are here simply trying to do our jobs,” he told reporters. “It is not helpful to the cause, it is not helpful to the country, it does not help the House Republicans advance our agenda, which is in the best interest of the American people.”