Marjorie Taylor Greene to push 'defund New York' plan in wake of Trump verdict: report

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has a drastic new idea to get revenge on the state of New York following former President Donald Trump's 34-count felony conviction in Manhattan for falsification of business records.

According to Politico, "Greene is planning to reinvigorate her push to defund special counsel Jack Smith as part of the appropriations process, we’re told — despite Speaker Mike Johnson telling Playbook last month that he thinks the idea is unworkable. But Greene won’t stop there. She’s planning a push to 'defund New York' by blocking the state from receiving any federal funds — including things like education and housing — an effort that could pick up support from MAGA hardliners."

Trump was convicted after prosecutors working for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg successfully argued that the former president illegally concealed the purpose of $130,000 in hush payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, to conceal an extramarital affair during the 2016 election and interfere with the political process.

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This proposal has no chance of actually passing, the report noted, since Republicans have a razor-thin House majority that in practice needs some Democratic cooperation, and a Democrat from New York controls the Senate. However, Greene "could almost certainly complicate Johnson’s hopes of passing appropriations bills this summer" if he refuses to take this idea seriously.

The former president is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, where Judge Juan Merchan has not ruled out ordering prison time, but could also opt for probation and fines.

Greene, a far-right lawmaker known for pushing conspiracy theories, already has a rocky relationship with Johnson, having called a vote to vacate him from the speakership after they fought over appropriation bills and defense aid to Ukraine. Unlike his predecessor Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted in a similar vote led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Johnson survived this challenge after a number of House Democrats crossed over to vote against the measure.