Rep. Jim Jordan withdrew his bid for the top Republican spot on the House Judiciary Committee, denying a role for one of President Trump’s fiercest defenders on the panel where any potential impeachment proceedings would begin.
A spokesman for the Ohio Republican confirmed to the Washington Examiner that Jordan would not gun for the top spot due to lack of support from GOP colleagues.
A potential Jordan run for the top position on another high-profile panel, the House Oversight Committee, remains unclear. Another frequent defender of Trump in the media, Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., is already seeking the position. Jordan is more senior than Meadows on House Oversight, which could give him a leg up over his close friend.
Both men are part of the House Freedom Caucus, which has been a thorn in the side of Justice Department and FBI leadership over members’ quest for documents regarding investigations into Trump, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Russian election interference.
Reps. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, and Doug Collins, R-Ga., have already announced bids to lead Republicans on the Judiciary Committee.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., is term-limited as current chairman of House Judiciary. Regardless, he announced in November 2017 that he would not seek re-election and is leaving Congress in January.
The two committees have been under GOP leadership, but Democrats are poised to take over in January when they gain the House majority.
Democrats have already promised to go after the Trump administration, putting the House Judiciary and Oversight committees square in the spotlight.
