Republicans elect Trump ally Jim Jordan as new US House minority leader

What the report says

Republicans in the US House of Representatives chose Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan as their new minority leader in a secret-ballot vote on Tuesday, one week after the party lost its majority in the midterm elections. Jordan will replace Mike Johnson as the chamber’s top Republican. The vote followed a bruising defeat in which Democrats gained at least 40 seats, leaving Republicans to regroup and prepare for a period in which Democrats control the House agenda.

According to Al Jazeera, Jordan defeated House Majority Leader Steve Scalise for the role. The leadership position carries responsibility for shaping the party’s response to Democratic-led oversight and investigations, while also helping guide Republicans as they begin considering their next presidential nominee. In a message to colleagues before the vote, Jordan cast himself as a steady and energetic leader focused on keeping the conference unified.

Jordan is a prominent ally of Donald Trump and a co-founder of the House Freedom Caucus, a faction that has often challenged Republican leadership. He also chairs the House Oversight Committee and has used that post to investigate what he has described as the misuse of government power against Trump. Al Jazeera also noted that Jordan has faced longstanding allegations related to abuse at Ohio State University, which he has denied. His selection marks a return to party leadership after a brief run for House speaker in 2023.