Fox News host Brian Kilmeade was caught on a hot mic on Tuesday, voicing his anger at House Republicans while voting was underway for the next House speaker. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) ultimately failed on the first ballot as 20 House Republicans voted against him.
While co-hosting Fox News’ “Outnumbered,” Kilmeade called Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) a “dumba**” after he voted for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted from the role in an unprecedented move by a group of hard-right Republicans. McCarthy has chosen not to run again for the position.
Jordan, who is serving his ninth term in the House, was once described by former Speaker John Boehner as a “legislative terrorist.” He is the vice chairperson of the conservative congressional organization known as the House Freedom Caucus, and is a ranking member of both the House Judiciary Committee and its Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. He previously was the top Republican on the House Oversight.
He is also a longtime supporter of former President Donald Trump, and has been accused of being a “vocal election denier” by Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA).