Jim Jordan stumbles in speaker election, Trump's legal storm rages

[Daily Kos ICYMI]( [Jim Jordan stumbles in speaker election, Trump's legal storm rages]( Some moderate Republicans temporarily found their spines Rep. [Jim Jordan lost the first round of today’s House speaker election]( as Republicans continue to fight among themselves. We’re seeing a full-blown battle between far-right members in ruby-red safe districts and those in more purple-ish districts who actually have to answer to voters, especially the “Biden 18” Republicans who will face tough reelection fights next year in districts where Joe Biden beat Donald Trump in 2020. Nevertheless, [12 of those Republicans backed Jordan, an extremist, on the first vote.]( Rumors suggested there would be a second House vote, but it seems that Jordan failed to shore up support and that Republicans pulled the plug, planning to try again another day. If Jordan somehow prevails in future votes, Democrats [already have a plan to go hard at these so-called moderates.]( Democrats, on the other hand, were remarkably unified. [Rep. Peter Aguilar drew a thunderous ovation]( for his speech nominating Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, for speaker. In the first round of voting today, every House Democrat backed Jeffries, and they continue to have [zero regrets about not saving Republicans]( from themselves. Donald Trump’s long day in court Meanwhile, Donald Trump had another busy day in the courtroom. Outside his civil fraud trial in New York, he had a[mini-meltdown to the press](. It’s been an especially bad stretch for him, too. News also recently broke that he was [scheduled to be questioned under oath]( regarding lawsuits from ex-FBI employees who sent negative texts about him. All these criminal and civil cases are adding up for Trump, and election experts are [flabbergasted at how much donor money he is using to pay his legal bills.]( Other top stories: - [Signs that Sinema's reign of terror over Senate Democrats is coming to an end next year]( Alarm bells must be ringing in Kyrsten Sinema’s office after a weak fundraising report, all while her primary competitor, Ruben Gallego, saw a surge in fundraising. - [Donald Trump tells crowd he's 'willing to go to jail' for democracy]( So say we all, Donald! - [Republican House member calls McCarthy's ouster a 'bipartisan failure']( The party of “personal responsibility” never seems to take responsibility for their own actions. - [If you can afford to make a monthly donation, please take a minute right now to give $3 to keep Daily Kos online and accessible for everyone.]( - [Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas begs to be impeached]( Chief Justice John Roberts has new cause to revisit the ethical lapses of Justice Clarence Thomas. Again, again. - You’ll find the best [daily Ukraine coverage]( at Daily Kos! - [It's getting chilly outside. Stay warm with a Daily Kos hoodie. Click here to get yours now!]( Before you leave, can you do one more thing? 2023 has been a hard financial year for Daily Kos. Donations of just a few dollars from our readers and activists helps us pay the bills. Please support progressive news and activism by making a donation of $5 today. [Chip in $5]( If you wish to donate by mail instead, please send a check to Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612. Contributions to Daily Kos are not tax deductible. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Daily Kos, please [click here](.