There is something about politics that irritates many of us.
We witness incredible statesmen like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is enacting the MAGA agenda at great length, even surpassing some of the slip-ups from the Trump Administration regarding H1-B Visas and the influx of foreign students into American universities. But no one’s paying attention, because he’s the governor of Florida, instead of a federal official. U.S. Senators and Congressmen have more opportunities to preen for the cameras, discuss the programs they are working on, and outline the policies they are championing for the state.
If a governor is an active contender for president, he will get more attention, but it’s nothing like the star power of a federal official or media mogul (aka Donald Trump). In spite of the relative obscurity, DeSantis is delivering. He is setting the stage for future conservatives to accomplish policy objectives, not just talk about them. Part of his ongoing success, though, is that DeSantis is a team player, and he puts Florida—and the country--ahead of the 2024 Election. President Trump and Governor DeSantis have maintained a good working relationship.
In stark and disappointing contrast, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has shown her true “me first” colors as she quits from Congress. It was a matter of time, anyway. Trump pulled the plug on her re-election bid with a broad (and necessary) un-endorsement, and she read the handwriting on the wall. She doesn’t want to deal with the shameful fallout of losing the love and respect of President Trump. I suspect that Thomas Massie will not survive his primary either, considering the fact that he has frequently sparred with the President on key issues, all while promoting himself.
Whether they like it or not, politics is a team sport. The reason why a political establishment exists is to shore up its numbers and ensure rank-and-file members do what they are told and vote as expected. While we should celebrate principled conservatives who speak up, push back, shift the narrative, and finetune outcomes, they still need to work with everyone else and move the mission forward.
More importantly, though, members of the majority should disagree agreeably, on principle, when needed, and there is always room for pushback. Congresswoman Victoria Spartz, R- Indiana, has voted against most of the major bills offered by the Republican leadership, but Trump doesn’t savage her or try to primary her out of office. Why? She’s not sticking her finger in Trump’s eye over their policy disagreements. Remember also that the current leader of the House Freedom Caucus, Andy Harris (R-Maryland), voted “Present” for the Big Beautiful Bill earlier this year. No primary challenge threats from Trump, either.
Congressman Chip Roy has often criticized the President, and he frustrated a spending bill. Chip Roy found a way to work things out, and he served another term. When Roy answered questions on the matter, he didn’t attack Trump directly, and he even pointed out that he shares the concerns and interests of the American people. Roy is a principled conservative, a thoughtful policy maker, and he is a consistent messenger. Roy offered compromises and he went along with the major plan down the line.
Consider also Trump’s ongoing pleas for the US Senate to end the filibuster rule and allow all legislation to advance on majority votes only. Senate Majority Leader John Thune has not budged on the matter, but he’s not shoving it in President Trump’s face. Trump was also very hard on US Senator Chuck Grassley, the current chairman of the US Senate Judiciary Committee. The US Senate runs on calmer, more arcane traditions. That’s the nature of the upper chamber. The Framers have affirmed their brilliance because the broad constitutional system they designed is still working. The checks and balances exist for a reason, and even if we all share President Trump’s broad vision and hope to implement his comprehensive agenda. Grassley has not budged from allowing the blue slip courtesy. You don’t see Trump calling for Grassley’s firing, do you? In part, I think, it’s due to Grassley’s broad investment in Iowa, including his frequent town halls in all 99 counties. Yes, he differs with the President, but he doesn’t go out of his way to preen for the camera and trash the president.
It's never an easy dance in politics. Politicians have to think about the next election, making nice with their peers, working with the demands of their leaders, while pursuing individual interests.
Are they keeping things tight with their local precinct and county central committees? Are they looking out for their interests, responding to the needs of their constituents, and also steering clear of scandal and shame?
It’s a great deal to take on, and politicians have to learn to disagree agreeably with party leaders. You don’t make your point by bashing leadership and undermining the message or messenger. Congresswoman Greene failed this test, and therefore, she’s giving up her seat in Congress, resigning on January 5th, 2026. Greene missed the mark, promoted herself, but she made little progress in actual governing once the Republican Party retook the House Majority in 2022.
In contrast to Greene’s pouting, let’s revisit how US Senator Ted Cruz dealt with Trump after their bruising 2016 primary. As a guest in 2022 on the liberal coven “The View,” Cruz responded to the interrogation about how he could still deal and work with Trump after all the terrible things that he had said and done to him. Cruz answered with resolve: “I had a choice to make. I’ve got a responsibility to represent 38 million Texans. I could have decided: ‘My feelings are hurt. I’m going to take the ball and go home.’” He didn’t. Instead, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work, helping President Trump deliver on his campaign promises, and he served the country well.
That is true class and leadership. Let’s not forget that President Trump buried the hatchet with Cruz and assisted his US Senate re-election bids in 2018 and 2024!
In contrast, Greene’s departure is disappointing yet revealing. She should finish the remainder of her term. After all, she was elected to serve the people of the 14th District of Georgia. She made that repeatedly clear in her resignation statement. She said that she wants to do what is best for her constituents, right? She also said that she wanted to spare her district from a bruising primary. While that consideration is welcome, she could ensure a peaceful transition while still representing the district for the remainder of her term.
Greene’s rushed resignation is all about spite. She is sticking it to the leadership and the rest of the conference for not having her back or taking her side.
In the end, her motives are not MAGA, but really “Make Marjorie Taylor Greene Great Again.”
That doesn’t work in politics. Again, it’s a team sport, and you have to be a team player. Trump handled her US Senate bid with tact and grace, and she lashed out at him and wants to hurt everyone else in the process. It’s a shame, and a sad end to what could have been a promising political career.
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