Jim Jordan: A Closer Look at the Trump Ally Competing for House Speaker

Jim Jordan, a staunch Trump loyalist, is gaining momentum in his bid to become the US House speaker. He recently secured endorsements from three GOP defense hawks who were swayed by his commitment to military funding and his pledge to “destroy Hamas and support Israel.” This support from hawkish Republicans comes despite Jordan’s prior alignment with Trump’s “America First” isolationist agenda. Jordan’s stance on Ukraine aid has been inconsistent, and his hardline positions could potentially lead to a 1% cut in US defense spending next year.

After intense negotiations over national security matters, Jordan garnered support from key figures like Armed Services Chairman Mike Rogers, Ken Calvert (the top Republican on the Defense appropriations subcommittee), and Ann Wagner (a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee). While Jordan refrained from discussing the exact number of votes he still needs, Representative Tim Burchett suggested he was down to approximately eight votes. However, Representative Mike Lawler remained undecided on supporting Jordan.

To secure the position of House speaker, Jordan must win over GOP moderates, especially those from areas won by President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Jordan’s recent proposals, including comprehensive aid for Israel and sanctions on Iran, along with his commitment to military funding, have swayed some Republicans in his favor. He’s also mobilized Trump supporters to exert pressure on wavering lawmakers.

Here’s a closer look at the Ohio Republican who aspires to be the speaker of the House:

• Founder of the House Freedom Caucus: Jordan played a pivotal role in establishing the House Freedom Caucus in 2015. This group of ultra-conservatives challenged then-Speaker John Boehner and has continued to influence Republican politics. Boehner once referred to Jordan as a “legislative terrorist.”
• Hardline Positions: Jordan is known for his unwavering opposition to abortion, strong advocacy for significant federal spending cuts, and a commitment to addressing illegal immigration along the US-Mexico border. Critics argue that his hardline stances may alienate independent voters and harm Republican prospects in the 2024 elections.
• Impeachment Involvement: Jordan gained prominence as one of Donald Trump’s most ardent defenders during the president’s impeachments in 2019 and 2021. He now chairs the Judiciary Committee, one of the panels leading the Biden impeachment inquiry related to the overseas business dealings of members of the Biden family, including Hunter Biden.
• Election Denial: Jordan supported Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud in the 2020 presidential election and voted to overturn the electoral college results from Arizona and Pennsylvania on January 6, 2021, following the Capitol insurrection.
• More Activist Than Legislator: While in Congress since 2007, Jordan has sponsored relatively few bills, with just one in the current session. Notably, this bill aims to prohibit federal employees and contractors from censoring speech protected by the First Amendment on social media platforms.
• Wrestling Background: Before entering politics, Jordan had a successful career as a collegiate wrestler and later served as an assistant coach at Ohio State University from 1987 to 1995. He faced allegations of knowledge regarding sexual abuse by a team doctor, which he has denied.