On Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Kevin McCarthy was ousted as Speaker of the House, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) announced that he would be seeking to replace McCarthy, telling reporters, “We need to unite the conference.”
Today, Jordan’s bid to be the next speaker got a major boost when failed one-term, twice-impeached, and multiply-indicted former president Donald Trump gave his blessing to the Ohio Republican, writing on his financially failing Truth Social site:
“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. 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 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. 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!”
So does Donald’s blessing mean Jordan is a shoo-in for the post of speaker? Hardly. That’s mainly because Jordan comes with more than a little baggage, and it’s among the worst sex scandals to ever take place on a college campus.
As Cleveland.com reported in 2020 when Jordan was named as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee by the now-deposed McCarthy, Jordan’s recollections of why he didn’t report sexual abuse of athletes on the Ohio State University wrestling team while he was an assistant coach on that team doesn’t square with what victims have alleged.
Although Jordan has repeatedly insisted he didn’t know team doctor Richard Strauss was sexually mistreating athletes in his charge, former OSU wrestler Adam DiSabato called Jordan a “liar” at a Tuesday House Civil Justice Committee hearing on a bill that would let Strauss’ victims sue Ohio State for damages. DiSabato also said Jordan contacted him repeatedly in July 2018, after media outlets quoted his brother, Michael DiSabato, saying Jordan knew about Strauss’ abuse.
“Jim Jordan called me crying, groveling… begging me to go against my brother…That’s the kind of cover-up that’s going on there,” said DiSabato, who is among a group of former OSU wrestlers who filed lawsuits that allege the school ignored Strauss’ abuse.
Trump’s endorsement of Jordan could wind up being both a blessing and a curse considering the ex-president’s own sordid past, including numerous accusations of sexual assault made by dozens of women against him and his bragging on video about how he likes to grab women “by the pussy” and kiss them against their will.
It’s too soon to say if Jordan has a chance of winning considering how abrasive and divisive he is. But one thing is certain: He’s unfit for office and should never be allowed to rise to second in the presidential line of succession.
