“Anyone involved in what just happened should not remain in power.”
That was the stark assessment from a conservative House aide as Republicans surveyed the damage from their midterm defeat and prepared for a battle over who will lead the party’s minority caucus next year.
After a Democratic wave swept away the Republican House majority, Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not seek the top GOP leadership position in the next Congress.
His decision has opened the door to a contest between two of former President Donald Trump’s closest allies on Capitol Hill: Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Ohio Representative Jim Jordan.
But the aide, who works for a longtime conservative lawmaker, told Our News Outlet that any member of the leadership team overseeing the election losses could face resistance from colleagues.
That could include Scalise and Majority Whip Tom Emmer, both experienced figures within the party.
Not every Republican is ready to assign responsibility. A second House GOP staffer said frustration was widespread but maintained that Johnson and his senior deputies were not the focus of the anger.
“I think, as JD Vance pointed out, there is a sense that the war and its impact played a role,” the staffer said. “We have not gotten the impression that people are blaming Mike Johnson or the leadership.”
Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan are competing to replace Mike Johnson next year
“We have not gotten the impression that people are blaming Johnson or the leadership,” a House GOP staffer said of Tuesday night’s difficult election losses
The contest revives a rivalry that began in October 2023, when Kevin McCarthy was removed as speaker. Scalise secured the Republican conference’s nomination but later withdrew from the race.
Jordan then failed to win three votes on the House floor before Republicans ultimately turned to Johnson.
A second Republican staffer, granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said Jordan, Representative August Pfluger and Erin Houchin could potentially run as a coordinated slate, with each offering strengths the others lack.
As chairman of the Republican Study Committee, Pfluger has built strong ties across a broad section of the conference, according to sources.
Republicans who view Jordan as too combative could be more comfortable supporting a ticket that includes Pfluger.
Houchin would bring extensive legislative and coalition-building experience from both state and federal politics to any potential leadership team.
Whoever prevails will guide a weakened Republican Party through the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
This time, however, the responsibilities will be markedly different.
Republicans are preparing to hand the House majority back to Democrats, who are expected to elect Representative Hakeem Jeffries as speaker in January and assume control of influential congressional committees.
Democrats are already developing an aggressive investigative agenda that could place Trump, his family and several of his closest allies under intense congressional scrutiny.
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Potential areas of investigation include the president’s business interests and cryptocurrency ventures, the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files, alleged misconduct by ICE agents and Elon Musk’s government contracts.
Democrats also plan to examine the administration’s use of executive authority, including Trump’s ballroom construction project and military action in Iran.
Scalise, currently the House majority leader, is arguing that his years in senior leadership have prepared him to take over without delay.
In a letter to colleagues, Scalise acknowledged the severity of the Republican setback, writing: “Last night’s election was far worse than any of us expected.”
He said his top priority as Republican leader would be reclaiming the House majority and urged colleagues to hold him accountable for achieving that goal.
Scalise has also cautioned Republicans to brace for what he calls Democratic “retribution” once Democrats control congressional investigations.
In a separate message to committee chairmen, he encouraged Republicans to identify investigations Democrats might pursue involving Trump, his administration and conservative allies.
Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, is presenting himself as the Republican best prepared to confront Democrats in the next Congress.
In a letter to colleagues, Jordan said he was “battle-tested on the oversight front” and understood the Democrats’ strategy. Republicans, he argued, need a more energetic and engaged leadership team.
Scalise says his years as House majority leader have equipped him to assume the top Republican post immediately
Representative Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary chairman, says he is “battle-tested on the oversight front” and understands the Democrats’ strategy
Trump, who was deeply involved throughout the election season, has so far declined to endorse a candidate in the leadership contest.
Asked Wednesday whether he planned to intervene, the president told reporters: “We’ll stay out of it.”
“The speaker was fantastic,” Trump added. “The people under him were fantastic. All good people.”
On Friday, Trump endorsed Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters despite the party’s heavy losses in the midterm elections.
Trump praised Gruters for his loyalty and leadership as Republicans face growing questions about their campaign strategy and the factors behind their performance at the polls.
The endorsement came as Gruters faced a possible challenge from RNC co-chair KC Crosbie, who announced Thursday that she would seek to replace him. Axios reported that the White House was caught off guard by her decision.
Gruters, a longtime Trump ally from Florida, has led the committee as Republicans begin rebuilding after Democrats’ strong showing in Tuesday’s elections. Trump’s support could carry considerable weight as the party weighs who should lead the RNC into the 2028 presidential campaign.
The House Republican Conference is scheduled to hold its leadership elections on Tuesday.
