Jim Jordan Set to Become Top Republican on House Judiciary Committee

 Jim Jordan, a founding member of the Republicans’ Freedom Caucus, has been selected to become the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, several media outlets reported Friday.

In his new role, the seven-term Ohio Congressman is likely to clash with the committee’s Democrat chairman, Rep. Adam Schiff.

Jordan, one of President Donald Trump’s staunchest allies in Congress, will replace Doug Collins of Georgia, who is set to leave the post as he tries to win one of his state’s two Senate seats, both The Hill and Fox News reported.

Additionally, the Republican House Steering committee has selected Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina to replace Jordan as ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.

The moves need to be ratified by the full Republican conference and will take effect March 12 and last through the end of the term.

MORE: Trump wants to add ‘Dem destroyer’ Jim Jordan to his impeachment legal team, AP reports

Both men served as part of Trump’s legal defense team in his recently completed impeachment trial. Trump was acquitted of both counts regarding Ukraine, military aid and a request for an investigation into corruption allegation involving former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter’s dealings with a Ukrainian energy company.

Trump praised both Republican congressmen as “warriors” during a post-impeachment verdict speech on Thursday.

Jordan was added to the House Intelligence Committee by Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California during its initial hearings in the Trump impeachment saga to monitor the Democrats’ actions and serve as a bulwark.

The White House had sought both moves, according to The Hill, which first reported the changes.

Trump defender Jordan to be promoted to ranking member of House Judiciary Committee

The changes come as Republicans anticipate Democrats will continue to push for more investigations into Trump’s conduct.

Replacing Collins was expected since House Republican conference rules require lawmakers in leadership to resign their posts if they seek a higher office unless a waiver is granted.

Meadows, a four-term Congressman, announced in December he would not seek re-election.

MORE: Trump Eyes Vindman’s Removal Just Days After Being Acquitted in Impeachment Trial

Meadows rose during Trump’s post-impeachment address to tell him, “We’ve got your back.”

The 55-year-old Jordan has been not only one of Trump’s fiercest defenders, but also one of the most visible, frequently appearing on cable television to lambaste Democrats for pushing impeachment.

He is a hero to many conservatives for his pugilistic rhetoric, such as when he criticized the Republican-introduced American Health Care Act in 2017, calling it “Obamacare Lite.”

Jordan publicly doubted the impartiality of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was appointed to investigate the alleged collusion between the 2016 Trump campaign and Russian officials. He called on Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to disband the investigation or create a second special counsel to simultaneously investigate Mueller himself.

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Brian Trusdell

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