Trump's Shocking Move: Full Endorsement of Jordan Unleashes Chaos in the House

There was only one way the chaos in the Republican-led House - likened Thursday by one of its members to a "stupid clown car" - could get more extreme.

Enter Donald Trump.

The former president delved into the chaos that ensued after the removal of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, as usual attempting to position himself as a power player and attract attention to himself.

In a turbulent turn of events reminiscent of the tumultuous atmosphere in the Trump White House, whispers circulated from the former president's camp about the potential of his first visit to the US Capitol since his supporters stormed it on January 6, 2021. Trump further hinted at the prospect of temporarily assuming the role of speaker.

As the clock ticked past midnight, the former president unleashed his most explosive revelation yet, throwing his support behind Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan for the position. Trump boldly declared on his Truth Social network, "He possesses the qualities of a phenomenal Speaker of the House and has my unwavering endorsement!" In a post that focused more on Jordan's prowess as a student wrestler than his political achievements, Trump made his stance clear.

The impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden is being significantly influenced by the Ohio Republican, who holds the reputation of being one of the most divisive figures in Washington and one of Trump's unwavering loyalists.

From left, Majority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan.

AP licensed

Scalise and Jordan clash over moderates in speakership contest

If Jordan secures the speakership, a fresh era of intense confrontation with the White House is expected to follow. Unlike his opponent Scalise, Jordan has been vocal in his opposition to providing arms and ammunition to Ukraine, and it is likely that a Republican House majority led by Jordan would raise the likelihood of a government shutdown next month. The shutdown would stem from a heated standoff with Democrats regarding spending.

However, Jordans candidacy and a potential endorsement from Trump may cause concern among moderate Republicans, who form the foundation of the slim GOP majority and worry that their constituents will be turned off by Trump as the presidential nominee in 2024. The support of these moderate Republicans, as well as other centrist figures, could play a pivotal role in the competition between Jordan and Scalise. The latter might have an advantage, particularly with influential donors, who may find him more appealing beyond the extreme right of the party compared to Jordan.

A wild week in Washington

Popular Scalise, who has overcome a 2017 shooting incident during a Congressional baseball practice and has recently undergone treatment for blood cancer, enjoys widespread support among the conference members. Additionally, his voting record demonstrates his favorable stance towards providing increased assistance to Ukraine - a crucial aspect for certain moderate Republicans who align more closely with the traditional hawkish internationalism of the GOP, rather than the "Make America Great Again" nationalism espoused by Trump.

Trump's entry into the intensifying speaker's race marked the climax of a chaotic week that began with Washington expressing relief when then-Speaker McCarthy's impromptu weekend action successfully averted an unavoidable government shutdown. However, this turned out to be a temporary relief, as it soon became clear that it was just a brief moment of hope.

As the next weekend looms, American governance is paralyzed because McCarthy has been toppled by GOP right-wingers after only nine months in a post hed pursued for years.

The US Capitol in Washington, DC, can be observed at sunrise on September 30, 2023. If the House fails to reach a last-minute budget deal by Saturday, the government is anticipated to undergo a shutdown by midnight.

House speaker chaos: What is going on? Will it affect you?

No one knows when the House will have a new speaker, or who exactly it will be.

McCarthy's engineered temporary spending bridge, which was supported by Democratic votes, has already been wasted, with another deadline approaching on November 17. The unresolved issue of extreme demands for substantial spending cuts, which the White House and Senate, controlled by Democrats, refuse to accept, indicates that a new crisis will emerge in a matter of weeks.

Trump could inflame the situation all over again

: The US lifeline of weapons and military supplies for Ukraine is now in jeopardy as Republican lawmakers increasingly object to funding a sovereign country's defense against an unprovoked Russian aggression.

Should Republicans choose Jordan in the speakers race, they would once again align themselves with a former president who attempted to undermine democracy by making false claims of election fraud. This ex-president is also promising to seek retribution against his enemies if he were to win a second term. ABC News reported that Trump allegedly shared potentially sensitive information about US nuclear submarines with a member of his Mar-a-Lago club, who then allegedly passed it on to foreign officials and journalists. A Trump spokesperson criticized the "illegal leaks" and "baseless witch hunts," but did not directly deny the report.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump listens during his civil fraud trial at the State Supreme Court building in New York, U.S. October 4, 2023. Jeenah Moon/Pool via REUTERS

Jeenah Moon/Pool/Reuters

Trump floats serving as House speaker for 'short period of time' if needed until GOP settles on leader

The disclosures will reignite concerns regarding the potential return of a former president, who has been impeached twice, to the Oval Office. This individual is currently facing trial in four criminal cases, which include allegations of mishandling sensitive national defense information. William Cohen, a former Republican senator from Maine who formerly held the position of Defense Secretary under Democratic President Bill Clinton, expressed his firm belief that this individual should never come close to assuming the responsibilities of the Oval Office, as he stated in an interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper.

Republicans seek revenge against far-right flame throwers

The shock that greeted the ouster of McCarthy - who was felled by just eight Republicans voting with Democrats - has now shifted to thoughts of vengeance.

Some Republicans are advocating for the removal of Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, who is seen as the instigator of the rebellion. Others are cautioning that the rule allowing a single member to call a vote to expel the speaker should be eliminated in order for the GOP to recover from the chaos.

Under the guidance of McCarthy, the temporary GOP leadership has already taken retaliatory action by criticizing Democrats who refused to support California Republicans. This request was significant considering that an impeachment investigation into Biden was initiated. As a result, Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi and former Majority Leader Steny Hoyer were evicted from their Capitol offices.

The two declared candidates for the next speaker, Scalise and Jordan, spent Thursday privately lobbying fellow members in an effort to secure the votes required to attain a majority in the House. The party's deep divisions make it uncertain whether either experienced candidate can achieve this. However, there is growing frustration among rank-and-file members regarding the events of the week, and a strong desire for the next leader to effectively control right-wing extremists who are causing turmoil within the party.

Rep. Dusty Johnson, a Republican from South Dakota, expressed his concerns on "CNN News Central," stating, "If we do not address the underlying issues within our party, it will just be a repeat of the same chaos with a different leader. Gaetz is a disruptive force, and those who support him are agents of disorder."

Johnson cautioned, "I believe the pyromaniacs will not find contentment once they have incinerated a single dwelling. Instead, they will inevitably experience an insatiable urge to set fire to several others."

The biggest victim of the chaos so far is Ukraine

The absurdity in the House caused by the GOP majority often underestimated the gravity of the situation. One part of the US government is effectively closed, and will remain so until the Republicans can elect a speaker - a process that may begin next week. Failing to pass year-end spending bills, or in a worst-case scenario, experiencing a government shutdown, could have severe consequences for millions of Americans and pose a significant threat to an unstable economic recovery.

The stakes are even higher for Ukraine. Both Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have expressed concerns that the US aid pipeline, worth billions of dollars, may run dry due to increasing Republican opposition in the House. Additionally, the next GOP speaker might be hesitant to approve new arms and ammunition packages with the support of Democratic votes, considering the repercussions faced by McCarthy.

Many Republicans have questioned why the US should provide funding to Ukraine amidst its own domestic issues, such as crime and the Southern border. Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana, one of the eight Republican rebels who recently removed McCarthy from power, suggested that the US should facilitate a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine to prevent further casualties and destruction. Rosendale stressed his unwillingness to witness the continued loss of Ukrainian lives and destruction of their land during an interview with Jim Sciutto on CNN Max.

In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin provided a disturbing answer to the question of why Ukraine desperately needs assistance. Russian missiles struck a village cafe and a grocery store on Thursday, resulting in the tragic death of 51 individuals, including a young six-year-old boy.