Posted on 07/11/2018 9:12:32 AM PDT by yesthatjallen
Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Wednesday vigorously defended Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who is facing allegations that he ignored reports that a team doctor was sexually abusing college athletes while Jordan was a wrestling coach at Ohio State University decades ago.
“Jim Jordan is a friend of mine. We haven’t always agreed with each other over the years, but I’ve always known Jim Jordan to be a man of honesty and a man of integrity,” Ryan told reporters on Wednesday.
Ryan also said that the bipartisan Ethics Committee had no jurisdiction to investigate Jordan under House rules because the alleged incidents occurred before the Ohio Republican was elected to Congress. Democrats have filed an ethics complaint against Jordan.
Roughly a half dozen former Ohio State wrestlers have come forward and accused Jordan and other coaches of failing to protect them from sexual abuse at the hands of the team doctor, Richard Strauss, during the 1980s and 90s.
Jordan, a leader of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, has vehemently denied knowing or seeing any sexual abuse while he coached at OSU, though he has said there was some “locker room” chatter about the doctor.
More than a dozen other former OSU wrestlers and six other coaches said they are standing in Jordan’s corner and believe his account that he did not know about abuse.
Ryan said Wednesday that he called Jordan over the weekend to “check in” with him after Jordan's nephew, a wrestler at the University of Wisconsin, died in a car accident last week. Ryan said they also discussed the Ohio State controversy.
During his remarks to reporters, Ryan made clear that the sexual abuse allegations against Strauss, who killed himself in 2005, were very serious and should be thoroughly investigated by the university.
“I also want to make sure Ohio State conducts a review of this doctor and what he did. That is important so that campuses are safe. And I’m glad Jim is supporting that review,” Ryan said.
“With respect to ethics, the Ethic Committee here investigates things that members do while they are here, not things that happened a couple decades ago while they weren’t in Congress.”
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) similarly backed Jordan earlier this week as the Ohio Republican pushed back against claims that he ignored reported abuse at OSU.
On Tuesday night, the Freedom Caucus, the powerful conservative group that Jordan founded in 2015, voted on a motion to express support for Jordan as he deals with the Ohio State scandal.
If he was a friend of yours, why did you leave him hanging out there until now?
Defending a conservative must have rankled his innards. What kind words does Nazi Pelosi have to say?
Okay, Speaker Ryan, prove it by immediately resigning and asking house to approve Jordan as your immediate replacement. TODAY!
Let’s see, a witch hunt against our President, now one against our future speaker....yet the Dems and deep state scumbags keep skating on charges from coup attempt, E-mails, destroying computers, fake dossier, etc....
I feel like the toilet is full and can’t flush in DC.
All you have to do is check into the backgrounds of his accusers. This is a scam.
Now, Paulie…..how about showing some more courage by sending the Capitol Police to ARREST LISA PAGE??
At least he had the decency to commit suicide.
Ryan certainly didn’t ‘rush to judgement’, considering that the allegations hit the new a week ago.
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Hitlary is back in full force. Obama too. Watch how Obama will fly off to Europe on the heels of Trump once again to undo anything he tries to accomplish...
It’s war with these traitors, and completely naive and ignorant to not enter it with sword and armor on. Sometimes Trump appears to be the only one fighting for us when the Republicans arguably control all branches of government.
Spot on post.
If the perp is dead, how does the investigation continue??
You remember it as I do. Ryan at first seemed quite content to let the bogus allegations sink Jordan.
The guy is worthless.
He’s a weasel.
There’s gold in them thar hills.
I guess.
For those who have been wrongly attacked for reasoms to take them out of a particular situation, and to ruin their lives and reputation... it would do all good if those who can, sue the person/s... by the time a person defends himself and hires an attorney, they can go bankrupt amd lose everything.
Going back 20+ years and making up what they need.. has become a habit and used for revenge and probably hired persons to do the attacking.. a few charges and court appearance, could stem some of it.
Congressman Jordan is our main speaker next Tuesday (7/17) at a fundraising dinner in Prince George’s County (to the north and east of DC). Certain elements suggested we reconsider and I led the faction holding fast. If you are in the area and interested in attending, I can give you information via Freep Mail.
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