Far-right Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) is making stealthy plans to position himself to take over as leader of the House Republicans in place of current House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) next year, reported Axios on Thursday.
"Many GOP members doubt Johnson will keep the top job, whether or not the party holds the majority. Jordan is a top ally of former President Trump who would help keep the conference full-on MAGA," reported Juliegrace Brufke and Stephen Neukam. "Jordan privately told colleagues what he would be doing differently than Johnson during the recent fight over foreign aid funding, multiple sources told Axios."
Additionally, the report added that Jordan "has been noticed handing out more campaign checks to colleagues" — which is a reversal from his previous remarks that it was "not his job" to help out embattled members financially.
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Jordan, a firebrand known for his offensive posture in congressional hearings, currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee, and has been a key player in the floundering GOP effort to impeach President Joe Biden.
Notably, Jordan was himself one of the candidates for speaker when former Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) was ousted from that role last year, and after his right hand man, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), bowed out of contention. However, several members outside the far-right wing balked at Jordan as their leader, with 25 members refusing to vote for him. "At the time, Jordan sparked fury from moderates who said he actively worked to undermine [Scalise's] own speaker bid," said the report.
And Jordan's current moves are reportedly not assuaging the objections of those members, who now believe he is trying to sabotage Johnson and are reportedly "vowing to oppose him in future leadership races."
All of this occurs amid the backdrop of Republicans facing severe challenges holding the party caucus together, and of defending their extremely narrow House majority in the 2024 election.
