Tennessee Republican Mark Green’s Exit From Congress— As Creepy & Corrupt As His Whole Slimy Career

Senate Refused To Confirm Him So… He Ran For Congress— Now He's Bailing

On Monday Tennessee Republican Mark Green announced he’s resigning from Congress after the House votes on a reconciliation package, citing an “exciting” private-sector opportunity. Well get to the actual reason he’s leaving in a moment. I just want to say that even in an anti-red cycle, his district has been carefully drawn to be immune from flipping. The PVI is R+10 and Trump won there last year with 60.4%. Democratic challengers To Green over the years haven’t gotten to 40%. So expect another knee-jerk MAGAt to be finishing his term. One has already launched a campaign, Jason Knight, a Black right-winger.

Now, because the announcement was so abrupt, the timing so weird and his history of reversing retirement decisions, speculation abounds, both in Nashville and DC, about the true motivations behind his exit. His press release frames his departure as a career move, emphasizing gratitude for his service and pride in accomplishments like leading the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and advancing border security legislation. He claims the private-sector job is too compelling to pass up. His resignation will trigger a special election in Tennessee.

One of the most persistent rumors ties the resignation to personal turmoil, specifically allegations of the extramarital affair everyone in DC knows all about. In September 2024, his wife of 35 years accused him of an affair with a 32-year-old Axios reporter. She claimed Green filed for divorce to pursue this relationship, stating he had “pushed God out of his life” and that “Satan rewrote their marriage in his mind.” All this while he was leading a Bible study in their home. The public nature of these accusations, amplified by local media and social media, created significant pressure. Some speculate that the scandal’s fallout— potentially damaging his reputation in a conservative district— prompted Green to seek an exit from public life.

However, another rumor suggests he may be positioning himself for a 2026 Tennessee gubernatorial run. When he briefly announced his retirement in February 2024, outlets like the Tennessee Lookout speculated he was eyeing the governor’s mansion, as his congressional seat was a safe Republican stronghold, and stepping away could allow him to focus on a statewide campaign. Green’s prominence as a conservative leader and his military background make him a viable candidate. However, his abrupt resignation yesterday,  complicates this narrative. Critics argue that resigning mid-term could alienate voters who expect commitment, and no concrete evidence (e.g., campaign filings) supports an imminent run. Still, the speculation persists, especially given Tennessee’s open gubernatorial seat in 2026 due to term limits on incumbent Bill Lee.

Green’s official reason— a private-sector opportunity— is sparking rumors that he’s chasing a lucrative lobbying gig— “Greed Over People,” financial motives outweighing public service. His tenure as Homeland Security Committee Chairman, where he oversaw border security and investigations, could make him valuable to firms with government contracts in those areas. The lack of specificity about the job fuels suspicion that he’s leveraging his congressional experience for a high-paying position, possibly one that requires him to start immediately.

His original retirement announcement included strong language about Congress being “broken beyond most means of repair” and the fight being “with Washington.” While he reversed that decision, the sentiment may still hold. His resignation could reflect genuine frustration with legislative gridlock, especially after high-stakes battles like the Mayorkas impeachment and border security fights. However, this theory is less compelling given his recent re-election and leadership role, which suggest ambition rather than defeatism. Critics argue this narrative is a convenient excuse masking other motives, like personal or financial gain.

A less prominent but plausible rumor involves potential legal or ethical issues. In August 2022, Business Insider reported Green violated the STOCK Act by failing to disclose a $100,000–$250,000 stock purchase in NGL Energy Partners.

Judd Legum and Noel Sims reported that when Green finalized an agreement with an unidentified private firm for an undisclosed amount of money he violated clear House ethics rules. “It’s a safe bet,” they wrote, “that, based on Green's description of the offer as ‘too exciting to pass up,’ the compensation is many multiples of his Congressional salary. And yet, Green will stay in office specifically so he can cast a vote on what is likely the most consequential piece of legislation in Trump's term. Donald Sherman, the Chief Counsel of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), told Popular Information that Green's announcement was an ‘unprecedented scenario’ with a high likelihood of a ‘disqualifying conflict of interest.’ Sherman explained that, since Green has not disclosed the name of his future employer, it is ‘impossible for the Congressman's constituents’ to determine whether there is a conflict. The likelihood of a conflict is high, Sherman believes, because the reconciliation bill impacts virtually ‘every industry.’ Craig Holman, an advocate with the ethics watchdog Public Citizen, called Green's delayed retirement ‘an obvious conflict.’ Holman noted that Green is required to report any conversations about potential future employment to the House Ethics Committee. The rule exists because even conversations about future employment can create conflicts of interest. But it is unclear if Green ever notified the House Ethics Committee. That's because members of the House Ethics Committee have chosen not to publicly release those notifications, which makes them essentially worthless.”