Jim Jordan chosen as House Republican leader as party gears up for minority battles
Select a version of the text written from a presumed ideological perspective. This is not the original text, but a hypothetical version — how someone with that viewpoint might have phrased it. Tapping the current version again will return to the original or select cleaned version.
House Republicans elected Rep. Jim Jordan as their leader for the next Congress, signaling a confrontational approach against the Democratic majority.
House Republicans selected Rep. Jim Jordan as the party's leader for the upcoming Congress, a move the caucus says reflects its readiness to contest the Democratic majority after losing more than 40 seats in the midterms. Jordan, a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus and former top Republican on the Judiciary Committee, is known for his combative style in hearings.
"Jim's a fighter," said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis of New York, adding that Jordan could unite the party's factions.
Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina noted that Jordan represents "the side of the party that's willing to fight" and suggested his selection over Majority Leader Steve Scalise reflected members' preference for a more confrontational minority leader.
Rep. Andy Harris, chair of the Freedom Caucus, called Jordan a "superb communicator" who can stand up to Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Jordan has been a mentor and praised his leadership, adding that it is easier to keep a group together when in the minority.
Democratic leaders expressed caution. Rep. Jamie Raskin said he hopes Jordan would use his talents for the public interest rather than solely for Donald Trump, while Jeffries said it remains to be seen whether they can work together.
Jordan has never been the primary sponsor of a bill that passed the House, and with Democrats holding a near 90-seat margin, bipartisan legislation is unlikely to be a priority. Nonetheless, his close ties to the White House, including the appointment of hard-line chief of staff Stephen Miller, suggest a continued alignment with the Trump administration's agenda.