U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Urbana, spoke in St. Marys on Wednesday.
ST. MARYS — U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan took aim at numerous targets when he spoke at the St. Marys Rotary Club on Wednesday, ranging from inflammatory but expected shots at the Biden administration, prominent Democrats and the Jan. 6 committee hearings to a more surprising comment seemingly accusing National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell of lying to Congress.
Jordan, R-Urbana, opened his remarks by saying that there’s “not a whole lot of good to talk about” in the political landscape.
“It’s factual,” Jordan said; “there’s not one thing this administration has done well.”
He blamed a number of situations, from inflation and high gas prices to the “crisis at the southern border” on the “bad policies of the Biden administration.”
But Jordan did not accuse President Biden of mere incompetence. Rather, he said, these “failures” are “deliberate, intentional and premeditated.”
“The border situation is truly deliberate,” Jordan said. “They got rid of the policies that actually gave us a secure border, and they’re deliberately doing it, and there’s no end in sight. … It’s sad that you have a government that is deliberately doing those things to the country.”
Jordan was outspoken in his criticism of the Jan. 6 committee’s recent hearings, disparaging its credibility and authority, labeling it a “kangaroo court” and a “completely partisan activity” that is distracting lawmakers from working to combat issues that are facing everyday Americans. Organizers of the committee wouldn’t allow Jordan to be a member of it when his party appointed him to a seat.
When asked how his preoccupation with the U.S. southern border, a topic he discussed heavily Wednesday, is more relevant to Ohio residents than the inquiry into the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Jordan said the situations were “completely different” as “illegal migrants” are “getting flown all over the country.” Jordan did not clarify who he accused of flying undocumented immigrants throughout the U.S.
The discussion took an unexpected turn when a guest asked Jordan about Roger Goodell’s recent testimony to the U.S. Congress. During the hearing, Jordan asked the NFL commissioner if he knew about the alleged ban of Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, from attending NFL games. Goodell testified that he wasn’t familiar with the issue.
“Do you think (Goodell) lied about the Dave Portnoy situation?” Jordan was asked.
“Come on,” Jordan responded, “of course he knew about Dave Portnoy.”
Jordan also discussed the upcoming presidential election, saying that he is “100 percent” in favor of former President Donald Trump running in 2024. Jordan “senses a change coming,” and he expects Trump to run and win again.
