Donald Trump, the former US President, has publicly backed Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as the potential successor for the House speaker’s chair. In a recent statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump highlighted Jordan as the primary choice to take over from Rep. Kevin McCarthy.
“Jim Jordan has always been a standout figure, even before his significant contributions in Washington. His role as the House Judiciary Committee chair has earned him respect universally,” Trump emphasized.
The ex-President reminisced about awarding Jordan the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom, shedding light on their long-standing alliance. Trump further illustrated Jordan’s exemplary record in the sporting world, mentioning his impressive 156-1 record in high school state championships and subsequent NCAA Division I Wrestling accolades at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Trump also lauded Jordan’s academic accomplishments, citing his master’s in education from The Ohio State University and a law degree from Capital University. He described Jordan as being firmly committed to key Republican causes such as crime, border control, supporting the military and veterans, and upholding the 2nd Amendment rights. The former president also spoke warmly about Jordan’s family.
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), another Trump confidant, is in the race for the speaker’s role.
The endorsement came after Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) revealed on a social media platform that Trump, whom Nehls had been promoting for the speaker position, had decided to back Jordan. Nehls conveyed his conversation with Trump, expressing full support for Jordan’s bid for House speaker.
To clinch the speaker’s position, a nominee requires at least 218 votes, necessitating backing from both conservative and moderate Republican factions. The newly elected speaker will be tasked with fostering party agreement on government funding by mid-November to prevent a shutdown.
The former speaker, McCarthy, faced opposition for leveraging Democratic support to pass a 45-day continuing resolution. A subsequent motion led by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) resulted in McCarthy’s removal from the position with support from several Democrats and a faction of Republicans.
Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), the chairperson of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative faction in the House, hinted at possibly joining the speaker race, emphasizing his capability to unite party members.
Interestingly, Trump had previously hinted at a temporary stint as House speaker to bridge divisions within the Republican ranks in the House. He proposed a short-term role, suggesting a timeframe of 30 to 90 days if deemed necessary. Trump revealed plans for an imminent visit to Capitol Hill and expressed willingness to assume the speaker role temporarily if Republicans face decision-making difficulties.
It’s important to note that a House speaker doesn’t need to be a House member.
Jordan, having been a Congress member since 2006, was instrumental in establishing the influential House Freedom Caucus. As chair of the Judiciary Committee, he’s been at the forefront of many pivotal GOP investigations. During McCarthy’s tenure as speaker, Jordan was actively involved in the impeachment inquiry against President Joe Biden.
Jordan, while expressing gratitude for Trump’s endorsement, refrained from commenting on the recent developments regarding Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), who played a pivotal role in McCarthy’s ouster.
