The House Speaker already has a lot on his plate. But now his agenda has only gotten more chaotic.
As shocking retirement news out of Congress has Mike Johnson completely rattled.
Tennessee Congressman Announces Retirement Amidst Political and Personal Challenges
Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), the influential House Homeland Security Committee Chairman, revealed on Monday his decision to retire from Congress following the upcoming vote on President Trump’s “big, beautiful” bill. Green, a steadfast conservative voice in Tennessee’s 7th District since 2019, cited an enticing private-sector opportunity as the catalyst for his departure.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from Congress,” Green said in a statement. “Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up.”
He notified House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and the House of Representatives of his intent to resign once the House votes again on the reconciliation package, a cornerstone of Trump’s legislative agenda.
Green’s exit will shrink the Republican Party’s already narrow majority in the House, prompting a special election to replace him in Tennessee’s 7th District. The district, a Republican stronghold that backed Trump by over 20 points in the last presidential election, is likely to remain under GOP control.
A vocal champion of border security, Green has been a driving force behind the $46 billion allocated for new border wall systems in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, which awaits another House vote pending Senate approval.
Under his leadership, the Homeland Security Committee spearheaded the impeachment of Biden Administration Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas last year, a high-profile effort that cemented Green’s reputation as a fierce advocate for conservative priorities.
Green’s path to retirement has been anything but straightforward. Last February, fresh off the Mayorkas impeachment vote, he announced plans to retire at the end of his term.
However, pressure from Trump and fellow Republicans persuaded him to reverse course and seek re-election. “Though I planned to retire at the end of the previous Congress, I stayed to ensure that President Trump’s border security measures and priorities make it through Congress,” Green explained on Monday.
“By overseeing the border security portion of the reconciliation package, I have done that. After that, I will retire, and there will be a special election to replace me.”
After nearly 40 years of public service, I am stepping back from my position as a Congressman. Thank you to all the people of TN-07 who have supported me during my tenure as their representative.https://t.co/c4dvWO0R91 pic.twitter.com/7ocyf4aT2X
— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) June 9, 2025
Adding a personal layer to his departure, Green has faced challenges in his private life. In September, he acknowledged his family was navigating a “difficult time” as he and his wife, Camilla “Camie” Green, pursued a divorce.
In a group text to fellow lawmakers, Camie accused Green of “having an affair with a 32-year-old woman,” alleging that the allure of power in Washington can lead lawmakers astray. “Satan has rewritten our marriage in his mind,” she wrote, describing how distance from family can fuel personal missteps.
A woman later revealed to Politico that she had an intermittent relationship with Green, stepping forward to clarify the narrative after a reporter was wrongly implicated in the affair. Green, who has not publicly admitted to infidelity, has remained focused on his legislative duties amid the personal turmoil.
As Green prepares to leave Congress, his tenure will be remembered for his relentless push for border security and his role in shaping Republican priorities. The special election to replace him will draw significant attention, though the district’s conservative lean suggests the GOP will hold the seat.
For now, Green’s focus remains on delivering Trump’s signature bill before stepping into a new chapter outside the halls of Congress.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
