Former President Donald Trump endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, for House speaker by way of a Truth Social post on Thursday, Oct. 5. The speaker role recently became available after a vote to oust Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was taken earlier in the week, an initiative spearheaded by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.

In his post, Trump said Jordan “has my complete & total endorsement.”

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Before leaving office in January 2021, Trump awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The award is described by the White House as the “nation’s highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.”

Since McCarthy was removed as speaker, Republicans have been trying to find new leadership as the vacated role must be filled before the House can get back to business as usual. Without a speaker, the House cannot pass any bills like those needed to avoid a government shutdown.

Another Republican putting his weight behind Jordan for speaker is Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, who wrote in part on social media, “I fully support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House.”

Both Jordan and his opposition Rep. Steve Scalise, R-La., announced they would run for the speaker role on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

According to the Constitution, to become speaker, a member of the House must be nominated by another member and be chosen by a full majority vote. In this case, with two vacant seats in the House, to become speaker a candidate must earn 218 votes.