Trump wades into tight House Speaker’s race, endorses Jim Jordan

Former President Donald Trump waded into the Republican race for House Speaker late Thursday, heartily endorsing Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan as the best successor to the ousted Kevin McCarthy.

“He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.

The endorsement likely will have an impact on the race that is pitting Jordan against current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. A vote is expected next week.

The former president cited Jordan’s history as a college athlete, a champion wrestler, and his role providing accountability oversight to the FBI and Justice Department.

“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.

”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. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jim became a two-time

NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion.

“He is STRONG on Crime, Borders, our Military/Vets, & 2nd Amendment,” Trump added.

A few hours before Trump posted the announcement, Rep., Troy, Nehls, R-Texas, said he had talk to the former president and was expecting him to endorse Jordan.

"Just had a great conversation with President Trump about the Speaker’s race," Nehls wrote on X, formerly called Twitter, Thursday. 

"He is endorsing Jim Jordan, and I believe Congress should listen to the leader of our party," the post continued. "I fully support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House."

Trump told Fox News Digital that he plans to visit the Capitol next week.  Trump himself had been suggested as a possible speaker of the House, since the position does not need to be held by a member of Congress.

McCarthy (R-Calif.) was ousted as Speaker by eight House Republicans and all Democrats in an historic vote earlier this week. 

Many of the eight initially opposed McCarthy's speakership, and cited recent budget negotiations as the reason for ousting him.

Both Jordan and Scalise (R-La.) announced Wednesday that they would be running to be the next speaker.