Former President Donald Trump has endorsed U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to be speaker of the House of Representatives.
The move comes after a handful of House Republicans voted with House Democrats to oust U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., from the role after McCarthy struck a deal with Democrats to keep the federal government from partially shutting down last weekend.
“Congressman Jim Jordan has been a STAR long before making his very successful journey to Washington, D.C., representing Ohio’s 4th Congressional District. Respected by all, he is now Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee,” Trump wrote on TruthSocial. “As President, I had the honor of presenting Jim with our Country’s highest civilian award, The Presidential Medal of Freedom. So much is learned from sports, and Jim was a master! While attending Graham High School, he won State Championships all four years, a rarity, and compiled an amazing 156-1 record.”
Trump went on to list Jordan’s accomplishments before giving him a full endorsement.
“At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jim became a two-time NCAA Division l Wrestling Champion. He won his 1985-86 NCAA Championship Matches in his weight class. Jim has a masters degree in Education from Ohio State University & a Law Degree from Capital University,” Trump said. “He is STRONG on Crime, Borders, our Military/Vets, & 2nd Amendment. Jim, his wife, Polly, & family are outstanding – He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!”
Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La, also intends to run for speaker. He likely has a better chance of winning the nomination than Jordan, but it remains unclear if Trump’s endorsement will help change that.
Jordan sent a letter to his fellow Republicans this week asking for their support and laying out some of his plans if he were elected.
“We must address rising crime in major cities and reject soft-on-crime, pro-criminal policies,” the letter said. “We must get our fiscal house in order and reduce spending so that we can leave more to the next generation than a crushing deficit. We must do our constitutional oversight of the federal bureaucracy to ensure they work for the American people not the other way around. And we must continue working to secure the border and protect our national security.”
