Liz Cheney Accuses Jim Jordan of Being Aware of Trump’s Plans to Cling to Power, Senate Warns House of Divided Government Ahead of Speaker Election

Former Vice Chair of the House Select Committee, Liz Cheney, recently spoke at the University of Minnesota about the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection. During her speech, she accused Ohio Republican Jim Jordan of being aware of former President Donald Trump’s plans to cling on to power despite losing the 2020 election.

In the wake of the vote to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), Senators in both parties are warning their leaderless colleagues in the House that electing a more right-leaning speaker wouldn’t be enough to muscle conservative legislation through a Senate and a White House run by liberal Democrats. The eight Republicans who voted to oust McCarthy complained that he relied on Democrats to keep the government open and failed to advance their conservative policy priorities.

The reality check from across the Capitol could weigh on GOP lawmakers as they grapple with who should replace McCarthy as speaker. Cheney’s accusations against Jordan have added to the complexity of the situation, as the House looks to elect a new speaker.

The divided government that befell the last speaker is a concern for the future of the House. With the Senate and White House run by liberal Democrats, it is uncertain whether a more right-leaning speaker would be able to pass conservative legislation. It is also unclear whether Jordan’s accusations will have any effect on the House’s decision to elect a new speaker.