A former waitress recently recounted an experience that underscores why Rep. Jim Jordan continues to face criticism as one of the most divisive and controversial figures in Congress. Gabby, who was a college student at the time, waited tables to support herself through school—a job many students take on to make ends meet. Little did she know that one of her customers would be none other than Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, who decided to use her as an object lesson in what he seems to think of people in her position.
Gabby describes the scene: “I waited tables as many students do and was waiting on Jim Jordan one evening. He pointed to a group of younger people around his table and said to stay in school and work hard so you don’t end up like that.” His finger pointed directly at Gabby, who was busy cleaning up a mess at another table. At the time, Gabby was an undergraduate student who had just been accepted into a prestigious Ph.D. program—a fact that Jordan, in his typical fashion, failed to consider before making his disparaging remark.
This brief interaction captures what many have come to expect from Jim Jordan: an unkind, thoughtless politician who thinks little of the everyday struggles of Americans. Instead of using his platform to uplift or show empathy, he consistently chooses to demean those he sees as beneath him.
They say you can tell a lot about a person by how they treat the wait staff. I met another waitress last night who waited on Jim Jordan and he was rude to her too! 🙄
I just have to post this one again. Remember Gabby? Listen to how Jim Jordan treated her. pic.twitter.com/hwqsuRycAh
— Tamie Wilson for US Congress (OH-4) (@TamieUSCongress) September 12, 2024
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The Many Reasons Jim Jordan Is Trash
Jim Jordan’s thoughtless and demeaning comments at that restaurant aren’t an isolated incident. The congressman has a long history of divisive rhetoric, blatant dishonesty, and shameless partisanship that has made him a controversial figure not only in Washington, D.C., but nationwide. In fact, Jordan’s lies and inflammatory language are a hallmark of his career. He often makes cringeworthy statements that leave even his fellow Republicans wincing.
One particularly notorious moment came when Jordan denied the seriousness of the January 6 insurrection. He pushed false narratives and downplayed the violence at the Capitol, refusing to acknowledge the role that misinformation—some of which he helped spread—played in the assault on democracy.
Partisan and Divisive by Nature
Jim Jordan is notorious for his hyper-partisanship. Whether it’s his grilling of witnesses during congressional hearings or his outlandish defense of Donald Trump, Jordan never misses an opportunity to divide rather than unite. For example, when former President Trump was impeached for the first time in 2019, Jordan used his position on the House Judiciary Committee to relentlessly defend the president, even when the facts were overwhelmingly against him. Instead of engaging in a substantive discussion on the merits of the case, Jordan resorted to baseless attacks and conspiracies.
Rather than focusing on policy or governance, Jordan is more concerned with stoking the flames of division for political gain. His willingness to say anything to advance his partisan agenda, regardless of the truth, is what makes him a fundamentally toxic figure in American politics.
Jim Jordan: An Ineffective Jerk
Jim Jordan’s ineffectiveness as a congressman is underscored by his abysmal ranking in legislative productivity. According to independent analyses, Jordan ranked 202 out of 205 Republicans in Congress for his ability to pass meaningful legislation. This low ranking is a clear reflection of his focus on partisan spectacle rather than doing the actual work of lawmaking. Instead of collaborating with colleagues or addressing critical issues facing the country, Jordan has spent most of his career grandstanding and engaging in divisive rhetoric. His refusal to compromise or engage in substantive policymaking has left him among the least effective members of Congress.
Despite his high-profile presence in congressional hearings and media appearances, Jordan has accomplished little in terms of advancing actual bills or meaningful policy changes. His record reflects a pattern of obstructionism and partisanship, rather than a commitment to improving the lives of his constituents or the American public. This ranking illustrates that while Jordan may thrive in creating political drama, he has fallen drastically short in doing the job he was elected to do: legislate.
Jim Jordan and the Wrestling Scandal: A New Low
Beyond his political actions, Jordan’s legacy is further tainted by his involvement in a sexual abuse scandal during his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University. While he has denied knowing anything about the abuse that occurred under his watch, multiple former wrestlers have come forward to accuse Jordan of ignoring reports of sexual misconduct by the team’s doctor, Richard Strauss. At least six former athletes claim they directly told Jordan about the abuse, but instead of taking action, Jordan allegedly turned a blind eye. CNN explained:
“‘I have nothing to do with this,’” Vazquez quoted the assistant coach saying, as he effectively ended the conversation and went on with wrestling practice.
That coach, Vazquez says, was Jim Jordan, now an Ohio congressman and an influential voice in Republican politics, perhaps best known for his pugnacious defense of President Donald Trump during the recent impeachment proceedings.
Vazquez is one of six former OSU wrestlers who told CNN in recent interviews that they were present when Jordan heard or responded to sexual misconduct complaints about team doctor Richard Strauss. Eight others say Strauss’ inappropriate behavior was an open secret in the athletic department and that Jordan, among others, must have known about it.
For someone who claims to fight for the people, Jordan’s silence during this scandal speaks volumes about his true character. Rather than stand up for the victims, he chose to protect his own reputation, leaving dozens of young men vulnerable to further abuse. This is perhaps the most damning aspect of Jim Jordan’s career, highlighting a disturbing pattern of cowardice and moral failure.
The Lowest of the Low
Jim Jordan’s record speaks for itself: he’s a liar, a hyper-partisan figure, and someone who fails to take responsibility for the most serious issues when lives are at stake. Whether it’s demeaning a hardworking waitress trying to better herself, pushing falsehoods about a violent insurrection, or turning a blind eye to sexual abuse, Jordan’s actions reveal a man more concerned with power than doing the right thing.
In a better world, Jim Jordan would be held accountable by the voters of his district. However, thanks to gerrymandering and a toxic political environment, he continues to get away with behavior that would end most political careers. If there’s one takeaway from the story of Gabby the waitress, it’s that people like Jordan don’t care about those beneath them—and in his case, that seems to apply to just about everyone.
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