Just when the GOP needs every vote it can get, one of its key figures in Congress is packing up early.
Tennessee Congressman Mark Green, the current chairman of the powerful House Homeland Security Committee, has confirmed he’s stepping down before his term officially wraps.
And he’s not waiting until election season — he’s planning to leave as soon as this summer.
This surprise move marks the second time Green has announced his retirement.
The first time, in 2024, he was talked out of it by Donald Trump and others who convinced him to stick around. Now, it seems he’s made up his mind — and this time, it’s final.
From Capitol Hill to a Private Sector Opportunity
So, what’s prompting Green to step away now? According to him, it’s all about a career move he just couldn’t pass up.
“Recently, I was offered an opportunity in the private sector that was too exciting to pass up,” Green told reporters, as cited in a Fox News report.
He also said he’d stay just long enough to see the House vote again on the reconciliation package — a move that will help Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republicans hang on to their slim voting majority for just a bit longer.
A Career Defined by Border Security and Loyalty to Trump
Green, 60, has made a name for himself on Capitol Hill, particularly when it comes to border security.
He led the charge to impeach former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and has been a loyal supporter of Trump’s immigration agenda.
In his farewell statement, Green said it was “an honor of a lifetime” to serve in Congress and used the moment to highlight his work on border security during his time as committee chairman.
He also acknowledged his previous retirement announcement, explaining that he chose to stay last time to help push Trump’s border policies through Congress.
“By overseeing the border security portion of the reconciliation package, I have done that,” he said.
A Personal Scandal Lurking in the Background
Green’s announcement also comes on the heels of a very public and personal controversy.
His former wife, Camie Green, accused him of having an affair with a younger woman before their split in September 2024.
She didn’t just keep it private, either — she took to social media and reportedly warned others around Capitol Hill about what she believed was going on.
In her messages, she made spiritual claims about their marriage, saying, “Satan has rewritten our marriage in his mind,” and suggested she had tried to reconcile but that Green wasn’t interested.
She also warned other women about “predators” that can easily target husbands.
At the time of the accusations, Green responded by calling it a “deeply private matter” and asked for privacy.
He said he would continue serving his district “with all I’ve got,” despite the unfolding divorce proceedings.
What Happens Next for His Seat?
Once Green officially steps down — which he says will happen after the House votes on the reconciliation bill — his exit will trigger a special election in Tennessee to replace him.
That contest could draw some attention, especially with Republicans already walking a tightrope when it comes to maintaining control in the House.
As of now, Green’s office has not responded to additional media questions regarding his departure or the personal drama surrounding it.