WASHINGTON: Former US President Donald Trump has endorsed hard-right Republican Jim Jordan for the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, filling the void left after the removal of Republican Kevin McCarthy earlier this week.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform, stating that Jordan “will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!”
Earlier, Trump had indicated his willingness to temporarily take up the role, suggesting that he had been approached by members of Congress to act as a unifier due to his extensive connections in the political arena. He mentioned the possibility of holding the speakership until a long-term replacement is found, while also expressing his intention to run for president.
Criticism on Donald Trump
However, the prospect of Trump assuming the position faced criticism from former Republican congresswoman Barbara Comstock, who pointed out that Trump might not be eligible due to the criminal charges he is facing. According to House rules, individuals indicted on criminal charges are barred from holding leadership roles within the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Jordan, one of the contenders for the Speaker post, received Trump’s endorsement. The 59-year-old Republican has been known for his skepticism regarding US funding to Ukraine and has led an impeachment investigation against President Joe Biden, drawing scrutiny from fellow party members.
Trump, who remains a prominent figure within the Republican Party and a frontrunner for the 2024 presidential nomination, is scheduled to face trial in Washington in March 2024 for his alleged involvement in conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election won by Democrat Biden. He is involved in other criminal cases, including racketeering charges in Georgia and a civil fraud trial in New York, along with his two eldest sons, related to inflating the value of their real estate assets.
