As Jim Jordan’s quest for speaker of the US House of Representatives falters, Republican lawmakers claim they have been the target of intimidation techniques, including death threats, from Jordan’s allies.
A number of Republicans informed reporters that they had been the target of a pressure campaign by Mr. Jordan’s backers after he lost the gavel on Wednesday.
Right-leaning Republican from Ohio Mr. Jordan denied the harassment.
On October 3rd, a hardline conservative uprising removed the previous Speaker.
Republican from Iowa Marianne Miller-Meeks claimed in a statement on Wednesday that she had “received credible death threats and a barrage of threatening calls” as a result of her decision to vote against Mr. Jordan.
“One thing I cannot stomach, or support is a bully,” she stated.
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Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican and vociferous critic of Mr. Jordan, gave Politico messages that appeared to show his wife being harassed by a Jordan fan.
One of the anonymous notes said, “Your husband will never again hold any political office.” “What a disappoint [sic] and failure he is.”
Mr. Jordan vehemently denied taking part in the pressure effort.
On Wednesday night, he said on X, formerly known as Twitter, “No American should accost another for their beliefs.” “We denounce all threats made against our colleagues, and cooperation is essential.
“Stop. It’s disgusting.
More than a few Republicans opposed to Mr. Jordan, including Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Kay Granger of Texas, and John Rutherford of Florida, complained of improper persuasion techniques used by local conservative leaders and right-wing influencers supporting Mr. Jordan.
Ms. Kiggans posted on X, “Intimidation and threats will not change my position.”
Some blamed Mr. Jordan for the strategies, albeit no evidence pointed to his being personally involved.
Republican congressman from Florida Carlos Gimenez told NBC News that he had discussed the issue with Mr. Jordan directly and added, “I don’t really take well to threats.”
“He told me that he wasn’t behind it, and he’s asked people to stop, but if you’ve asked people to stop it why aren’t they listening to you?” stated Mr. Gimenez.
Robocalls concerning his opposition to Jordan, he claimed, had been made to his office.
Republican Steve Womack of Arkansas criticized what he called Jordan’s backers’ “attack, attack, attack” strategies against Republicans who had opposed his speakership candidacy.
Even some of Mr. Jordan’s admirers, including Florida’s Byron Donalds, admitted that the use of force may have “backfired”.
Jim was harmed, Mr. Donalds told reporters, “I believe.”
The internal struggle started after Mr. Jordan failed to secure enough support from his party to win the speakership for a second term.
After 22 of his fellow Republicans voted against him on Wednesday, two more than on Tuesday, the Republican fell short of the 217 votes he required.
On Thursday, Mr. Jordan is anticipated to request a third roll call.
More than two weeks after Kevin McCarthy was ousted as head of the lower chamber of Congress in a backbench rebellion, there is still no sign of an end to the leadership struggle.
The Republican-controlled House is unable to enact any legislation or consent to emergency relief requests from the White House without a Speaker. Included in that is potential assistance for Israel in its conflict with Hamas.
Democrats, the chamber’s minority party, have consistently supported their own leader, New Yorker Hakeem Jeffries, with a unified vote.
As anger grows, there has been further discussion in the House about giving acting Speaker Patrick McHenry temporary authority for up to 90 days.