Trump Backs Jim Jordan for Speaker After McCarthy’s Ouster — Ukraine Funding in Jeopardy?

Key Takeaways:

• Former US President Donald Trump has endorsed Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan as House Speaker.
• Jordan is an outspoken critique of Washington’s continued funding for Ukraine.
• The Speaker’s chair became empty after Kevin McCarthy lost his chair earlier this week.

YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Former US President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Ohio Representative Jim Jordan’s campaign for the position of Speaker of the House.

Jordan has demanded more accountability and opposes additional Ukraine funding. His election would make it harder for the Biden Administration to continue sending assistance to Kyiv as it continues to fight the Russian invasion. 

Speaking to the media after announcing his candidature, Jordan clarified that the Ukraine war was not his priority. 

“I am against that [aid package to Ukraine]…The most pressing issue on Americans’ minds is not Ukraine. It’s the border situation, and it’s crime on the streets,” 

he said. 

The race to elect a new speaker comes days after Kevin McCarthy lost a confidence vote and vacated the chair. 

Donald Trump wants his loyalist to be House Speaker 

Donald Trump conveyed his support for Jordan via a post on the social media platform Truth Social. In his statement, Trump expressed confidence in Jordan, stating that he believes Jordan will excel as Speaker of the House and offering his complete and unwavering endorsement.

“As President, I had the honor of presenting Jim with our country’s highest civilain award, The Presidential Medal of Freedom…He will be a GREAT speaker of the House and has my complete and total endorsement,”

 he wrote. 

The endorsement from the former President comes as no surprise. Jordan has been one of the strongest supporters of Trump and is a Kevin McCarthy loyalist. 

He has also announced his support for Trump’s campaign, calling him “the best President” the United States has had. 

“I want him to be President, I think that’s what he wants to do and that’s what is going to happen… I think President Trump is going to be our nominee…he is going to be our next President,” 

he announced. 

Before endorsing Jordan’s name, Trump had announced he would consider becoming the interim Speaker of the House till the Republicans agree on a candidate. Several party colleagues, including Steve Scalise, had asked Trump to step in. 

Scalise, who serves as the House Majority Leader, has also announced his candidacy to become the Speaker. 

Support for Ukraine cost Kevin McCarthy his chair?

Earlier this week, Rep. Matt Gaetz tabled a “motion to vacate” against the Speaker. With the support of a small group of 8 Republicans and the entire Democratic conference, the motion passed, making McCarthy the first sitting House Speaker to be voted out. 

Jim Jordan has also received support from Gaetz, who calls him his “mentor.” One of the biggest contentions between McCarthy and Gaetz was Washington’s continued funding for Ukraine. 

Before the vote to vacate, he had accused the former Speaker of making a “secret side deal with Joe Biden on Ukraine.”

The accusations came after President Biden told reporters that McCarthy made a “commitment to secure the passage and support needed to help Ukraine.” 

“To extend Joe Biden’s spending and Joe Biden’s policy priorities, the Speaker of the House gave away to Joe Biden the money for Ukraine that Joe Biden wanted,” 

Gaetz said earlier this week.

The most immediate reason for McCarthy’s ouster was the allegations he colluded with rival Democrats to pause the US government shutdown. However, his unrelenting support for funding Ukraine put him at odds with his colleagues in the already-divided Republican party.