One of President Donald Trump’s most prominent allies in Congress could soon become his highest-ranking defender against a barrage of Democrat-led investigations and impeachment threats. Several House Republicans told Fox News Digital they expect the chamber will slide out of their control come November — and with it, a major shakeup in their top leadership ranks. "I don’t see a scenario where everyone gets to keep their job," one House GOP lawmaker bluntly told Fox News Digital.
"I think [Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.] would be first out, and then [House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.] has got to decide if he’s going to run for leader and, can he beat [House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio]?" Jordan’s name was one that came up often in Fox News Digital’s discussions with various House Republicans, all of whom spoke under the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conference matters. HOUSE DEMS PLOT TRUMP INVESTIGATION BLITZ IF THEY SEIZE MAJORITY A second House Republican said Jordan is the "number one name" in talks of a GOP minority leader. HOUSE CONSERVATIVES UNLEASH MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR MIDTERM BLITZ AGAINST DEM 'SOCIALIST' INSURGENCY The Ohio Republican already enjoys high name recognition among the party base.
As the first lawmaker put it, "His celebrity status is very helpful … when Jim Jordan comes to town for you, you put 300 butts in seats." That status has been on full display so far this election cycle. Jordan has spent much of August and October traveling across the country campaigning for fellow House Republicans along the political spectrum, from vulnerable moderates to conservative MAGA acolytes. TOP REPUBLICAN UNLOADS ON RISE OF 'ANTI-AMERICAN' CANDIDATES HEADING INTO MIDTERMS: 'YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING' It’s a far cry from the Jordan who ran for speaker in October 2023, when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster sparked a historic scramble to replace him.
Jordan’s bid at the time was marked by fervent conservative support and fierce opposition from moderates, several of whom said they felt threatened by Jordan’s allies for their opposition. The first House Republican described his current persona as "Jim Jordan 2.0." "He's taken steps to, I think, build out way beyond the Freedom Caucus in terms of people that support him," that person said. "Like, he’s just a great citizen of the conference." But Jordan himself has not publicly pushed any leadership ambitions since the 2023 battle, when Johnson ended up speaker after several weeks of political chaos.
The second House Republican said they’ve seen Jordan actively dismiss any such conversations. He told Punchbowl News earlier this week that he was "focused on winning" the House majority. The first person said, "I think [Jordan] quietly, without campaigning for it, has built up some infrastructure like that.
But also, he could be throwing darts at leadership, and he's not. He's just trying to help us win." A third House Republican pointed out that, if Democrats win the House in another blue wave, many of Jordan’s most vocal opponents from 2023 will have lost their seats. And unlike a speaker race, where a majority of the full House is needed, a minority leader would only need to win a majority of the GOP conference.
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