House GOP defending peer accused of ignoring sex abuse

WASHINGTON — Honest, honorable and trustworthy — these are all attributes House Republicans have ascribed to Rep. Jim Jordan as they’ve reacted skeptically to allegations that the Freedom Caucus founder ignored sexual abuse while an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who like Jordan are considered potential candidates to replace retiring Speaker Paul D. Ryan, were among those who defended Jordan.

“Jim and I came into Congress together 12 years ago and I have always found him to be a good and honest man. I believe Jim when he says if faced with charges of abuse, he absolutely would have acted,” McCarthy said in a statement that also noted he is glad an investigation is underway.

“I have always known Jim Jordan to be honest, and I’m confident he would stand up for his athletes, just like he’s always stood up for what’s right,” Scalise said in a statement. “I’m glad that Jim is committed to working with the investigators to see that the full truth comes out and justice is served.”

While House members were away from Washington for the July 4 recess, NBC issued a report citing three former Ohio State wrestlers who said Jordan had to have known Dr. Richard Strauss, a doctor who worked with several athletic teams at the school, acted inappropriately toward, and in some cases sexually abused, wrestlers he treated. In April, the university launched an investigation into the allegations against Strauss, who died in 2005.

Since the NBC report, a few other former wrestlers have since raised similar claims in other media reports, while other former wrestlers and coaches have come to Jordan’s defense. But even some of Jordan’s defenders say it was fairly widespread knowledge that Strauss inappropriately looked at and sometimes touched genitalia of the male athletes.