Jordan condemns ‘abhorrent’ threats against lawmakers who opposed him for speaker

Rep. Jim Jordan has condemned threats that his colleagues have received for not voting him into the speakership, calling it “abhorrent.”

“No American should accost another for their beliefs,” the Ohio Republican wrote in an X post Wednesday night. “We condemn all threats against our colleagues and it is imperative that we come together. Stop. It’s abhorrent.”

Reports had come out that some Republican lawmakers and their family members had received targeted messages after they did not vote for Mr. Jordan in the first round of voting on Tuesday.

Angie Bacon, the wife of Rep. Don Bacon, received texts Tuesday warning that her husband could lose his seat if he doesn’t vote for Mr. Jordan. The Nebraska Republican opted for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted from the position just weeks ago.

“Why is your husband causing chaos by not supporting Jim Jordan? I thought he was a team player,” said one of the multiple texts received by Mrs. Bacon and shared with Politico.

Another text threatened Mr. Bacon’s political career, calling him a “disappointment” and a “failure.”

Mr. Bacon also didn’t vote for Mr. Jordan in the second round of votes for the position on Wednesday, and the House Judiciary Committee Chairman still did not have enough support to get him to the 217 needed.

Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks said Wednesday that she received “credible death threats” and a “barrage of threatening calls” after she switched her vote from yay to nay for Mr. Jordan. She was one of four Republicans who withdrew support for Mr. Jordan after voting for him in the first round.

She wrote in a statement that after the first vote, her “initial concerns about threatening tactics of Jim Jordan’s supporters, including from members of Congress, increased despite assurances.”

The Iowa Republican said her office notified authorities about the threats.

“One thing I cannot stomach, or support is a bully,” she wrote. “Someone who threatens another with bodily harm or tries to suppress differing opinions undermines opportunity for unity and regard for freedom of speech.”

Rep. Drew Ferguson revealed that he also received death threats after switching his vote from Mr. Jordan to Majority Leader Steve Scalise during Wednesday’s vote.

He said in a statement posted on X that he had concerns about the “threatening tactics and pressure campaigns” Mr. Jordan and his allies were using. 

“I discussed this directly with Jim, and planned to support him on the second ballot,” he said. “When the pressure campaigns and attacks on fellow members ramped up, it became clear to me that the House Republican conference does not need a bully as the speaker.”

The Georgia Republican said the threats are “simply unacceptable, unforgivable, and will never be tolerated.”