Following this week's ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), attentions quickly turned to speculation over a possible replacement, and late Thursday evening, former President Donald Trump made clear where he stands on the matter, endorsing Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) for the role, as NBC News reports.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to sing Jordan's praises, saying, “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. As President, I had the honor of presenting Jim with our Country's highest civilian award, The Presidential Medal of Freedom,” Trump continued.
Declaring Jordan “STRONG on Crime Borders, our Military/Vets, & 2nd Amendment,” Trump added, “Jim, his wife Polly, & family are outstanding – He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!”
It was earlier in the evening that word of Trump's planned support of Jordan for the speakership began to emerge, via the X account of Rep. Troy Nehls.
“Just had a great conversation with President Trump about the Speaker's race. He is endorsing Jim Jordan, and I believe Congress should listen to the leader of our party. I fully support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House,” wrote Nehls.
Trump's decision followed on the heels of rumors that he was contemplating a bid for the role himself – a move that would theoretically be feasible given that there is no requirement that the House speaker be sitting member of Congress.
Soon after McCarthy's ouster Trump's name was floated by lawmakers including Nehls and Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) as a possible contender, and reports soon after indicated that the former president was intending to travel to D.C. Next week.
Fueling talk of a potential Trump run were comments from the man himself, with the current GOP primary front runner confirming to Fox News Digital that he would perhaps be willing to fill the leadership void on an interim basis.
“I have been asked to speak as a unifier because I have so many friends in Congress,” Trump began. “If they don't get the vote, they have asked me if I would consider taking the speakership until they get somebody longer-term, because I am running for president.”
Trump continued, “They have asked me if I would take it for a short period of time for the party, until they come to a conclusion – I'm not doing it because I want to – I will do it if necessary, should they not be able to make their decision.”
Setting limits on his putative service, Trump added that he was only willing to step into the speaker's role for a “30, 60, or 90-day period.”
Now that Trump has thrown the weight of his support behind Jordan, however, other Republicans in Congress have followed suit, including Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), as Breitbart noted.
Also in contention to take the speaker's gavel is House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), a longtime McCarthy ally who, while likely able to garner strong support within the Republican conference, is currently undergoing treatment for blood cancer – a fact which could potentially complicate perceptions among some regarding his suitability for the job at this particular time.
