Marjorie Taylor Greene has issued a statement apologising for her role in “toxic politics”.

The Republican US representative, not unknown for spreading conspiracy theories and opposing the LGTBQ+ community, said she was sorry for years of engaging with radical rhetoric.

Speaking to CNN’s Dana Bash, Greene said, in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s death, she had reflected on her hand in driving divisive rhetoric within US politics and now felt it was “extremely wrong.”

She went on to say: “I would like to say, humbly, I’m sorry for taking part in the toxic politics, it’s very bad for our country.”

The comments come as her new and very public dispute with Donald Trump continues. The president has accused Greene of betraying the Republican Party by criticising the administration’s handling of the recent government shutdown.

“The most hurtful thing [Trump] said… is he called me a traitor, and that is so wrong,” Greene insisted. “Those are the types of words that can radicalise people against me and put my life in danger.”

Podcaster Kirk was shot dead during an open-air debate on gun violence at Utah Valley University in September, during which he promoted a conspiracy theory about transgender mass shooters.

Reminiscing about the incident, Greene said she had thought a great deal about the influence her words have had on political discourse. “I’m only responsible for myself and my own words and actions … and I’ve been working on this a lot lately, to put down the knives in politics,” she said. “I really want to see people be kind to one another.”

Greene’s anti-LGBTQ+ stance included supporting homophobic and transphobic state and federal legislation, including the Protect Children’s Innocence Act which would make providing trans healthcare for anyone under the age of 18 a felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

She has also used the “groomer” slur, which compares LGBTQ+ people to paedophiles.

Despite her track record, Greene said she intended to find a “new path forward” and called for people to “come together”, adding: “I’m leading the way with my example, and I hope that president Trump can do the same.”

Share your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below, and remember to keep the conversation respectful.

The post Marjorie Taylor Greene claims she’s sorry for her ‘toxic’ politics appeared first on PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news.