Republican group opposes Greene visit

COEUR d'ALENE — Tonight's visit from U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, could spark fireworks and is expected to attract protesters.

The group North Idaho Republicans released a statement Friday criticizing the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee for hosting Greene at their annual Lincoln Day Dinner at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

It called on Idaho's elected leaders to refuse to attend the event that is sold out and expected to have about 600 people.

“North Idaho Republicans stand for the bedrock principles of our party: family, faith, freedom, economic prosperity, personal responsibility and honesty," the statement said. "We believe all Idahoans, and most especially Republicans who have built this state must take a stand for these principles and speak out when outside forces threaten our way of life."

Greene will be the keynote speaker at tonight's dinner. On her website, she is described as "a mother, successful businesswoman, and Christian nationalist patriot."

She was criticized in December for her comments that the Jan. 6, 2021, uprising at the U.S. Capitol “would’ve been armed” and "we would have won" if she and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon had planned it.

Greene also recently caught some heat for yelling when President Joe Biden, during his State of the Union address, claimed some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset.

Greene, in a recent TV interview, defended her actions.

"I along with my colleagues were calling him out," she said. "I think I was just the loudest one because I stood up and screamed liar."

Greene said there has not been a GOP meeting on cutting Social Security or Medicare.

Some have been calling for KCRCC to rescind its invitation to Greene, but Brent Regan, KCRCC chairman, previously told The Press they would not.

Luke Russell, North Idaho Republicans spokesman, said the group's founding members are longtime local Republicans who believe Greene represents division and chaos.

They believe she is grandstanding rather than "trying to solve the real problems in North Idaho and our country."

Protesters are expected to gather at Independence Point starting at 4 p.m. today.

Security is expected to be tight at The Resort and police will be ready to respond if the need arises.