Topline
Former President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), one of his most vocal supporters in Congress, in the House Speaker race, following former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) dramatic ouster sparked by a far-right revolt within the Republican party.
FILE PHOTO: Donald Trump shakes hands with Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) as he disembarks from Air Force … [+] One.
Key Facts
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump lavished praise on Jordan, saying he will be a “GREAT Speaker” and has the former president’s “Complete & Total Endorsement!”
Highlighting Jordan’s conservative credentials, Trump wrote he is “STRONG on Crime, Borders, our Military/Vets, & 2nd Amendment.”
The post then ran through Jordan’s resume, including the “Presidential Medal of Freedom” awarded to him by Trump and his high school and college sporting achievements as a wrestler.
Jordan hasn’t commented on Trump’s endorsement but Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) wrote on X that he “had a great conversation” with Trump about his endorsement of Jordan, adding: “I believe Congress should listen to the leader of our party.”
Earlier in the evening, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, another close Trump ally, posted on X that she plans to nominate Trump for the speakership, adding he “will be ready on day one to serve.”
Key Background
Jordan has emerged as one of the two frontrunners to replace McCarthy as speaker along with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.). A few others, including Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), have indicated they may also join the race. Before endorsing Jordan, Trump himself indicated he would be open to accepting the gavel for “a short period of time and serve as a “unifier” for the Republicans. In an interview with Fox News, the former president clarified he was only offering to do it because he had been approached by Republicans and expected them to eventually pick a longer-term replacement for McCarthy.
Tangent
Earlier this week, McCarthy became the first House Speaker in U.S. history to be ousted from the job. The ouster was the result of a revolt against him by a coalition of far-right members from within the GOP. At the time, Trump chided the House GOP members with a post on Truth Social asking why Republicans are always fighting among themselves instead of fighting “the Radical Left Democrats who are destroying our Country.”
Crucial Quote
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), who had previously run against McCarthy for the speakership and was reportedly eyeing another run, posted on X his support for Jordan: “Jim Jordan has my full support to become the next Speaker of the House! It’s time to get back to work for the American people.”
Chief Critic
In an interview with CNN’s Christine Amanpour former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton weighed in on the speakership debate calling Jim Jordan “one of the principal ringleaders of the circus that’s been created in the Republican Party for the last several years.” She added: “At some point, there needs to be a backlash against the control that this small group of extremists have.”
Further Reading
Trump Says He’s Open To Short-Term Role As House Speaker To Act As ‘Unifier’ (Forbes)
