U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, joined Tennessee Republican congressional nominee Charlie Hatcher for an exclusive sit-down interview Tuesday on The Michael Patrick Leahy Show, where Jordan warned that a Democratic takeover of the House could lead to renewed efforts to impeach President Donald Trump and weaponize congressional oversight against his administration.
Jordan, who has represented Ohio in Congress since 2007, joined Hatcher while campaigning across Tennessee ahead of the November 3 general election.
“It’s the kind of district you want a guy like Charlie with his background in agriculture and conservative principles,” Jordan said. “That’s a district that fits him, and he fits them. That’s what you want.”
Hatcher, a veterinarian, dairy farmer, and former Tennessee agriculture commissioner, defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN-05) by 6.45 percentage points in the August Republican primary despite Ogles receiving President Donald Trump’s endorsement. Trump subsequently endorsed Hatcher for the general election.
Hatcher now faces Democratic nominee Chaz Molder, the mayor of Columbia, in a district that stretches across 17 counties in Middle and West Tennessee.
Jordan criticized Molder’s positioning as a moderate, arguing that Democrats have moved further to the left.
“That’s typical for today’s left. Some of them actually embrace all the craziness. Others pretend that they’re not, even though deep down they are,” Jordan said. “And I think, frankly, these hard left now have control of the entire party.”
“We were talking earlier at lunch that the once great party of FDR and JFK is now completely radical. It’s like that’s today’s Democrat Party, and sad because it was a great party at one point,” Jordan added.
Jordan praised Hatcher as a conservative who could appeal to voters in the largely rural district.
“You all know Charlie is as solid and common sense and tough as they come, and that’s the contrast,” Jordan said. “And frankly, that’s the choice in so many of these seats, and it’ll decide whether we keep the majority or not.”
Jordan said the outcome of the election would determine whether Republicans retain control of the House, warning that a Democratic majority could use congressional oversight powers to pursue investigations and impeachments against members of the Trump administration.
“It’s likely that they will do a third impeachment of the president, and it’s, I think, even more likely that they’re going to go after [U.S. Department of War Secretary] Hegseth,” Jordan said.
“They’re probably going to investigate [FBI] Director Patel, Attorney General Blanche, who I think’s doing a great job,” he added.
Jordan argued that Democrats would target administration officials and others aligned with Republicans.
“They will weaponize the oversight function. We have a constitutional duty to do oversight. They will weaponize it and go after whoever they want,” Jordan said.
He also criticized proposals he attributed to the Democratic Socialists of America, including packing the U.S. Supreme Court and changing the structure of the federal government.
“They’re talking about affordability, but yet you look at their platform, particularly the DSA, and it’s all these structural changes that they want to make to, pack the court, get rid of the Senate, get rid of the presidency, federalize election law. On, on and on it goes,” Jordan said. “That’s the danger.”
Hatcher said those concerns should motivate conservative voters to participate in the election.
“It should motivate people to get out and vote,” Hatcher said. “Conservative-minded people need to get out. That could save us.”
Jordan also offered advice to Hatcher about serving in Congress if he wins the general election.
“Pick the committees, pick the issues you like,” Jordan said, explaining that new members should seek committee assignments that match their interests and the needs of their districts.
Jordan suggested that Hatcher pursue a seat on the House Agriculture Committee, given his background in farming and the district’s agricultural economy.
“And of course you’ll want to, I assume, be on agriculture and that fits you and fits the district,” Jordan said.
He also advised Hatcher to focus on constituent service rather than trying to generate publicity.
“Just do your job well. Come to the committee prepared…and you’ll get plenty of attention,” Jordan said. “Just focus on doing your job.”
Jordan said staffing would also be important to a new member’s effectiveness in Congress.
“And then maybe the last piece of advice is just have a good chief of staff who will hire your staff…and get your team together so that you can serve your constituents the way that you want to,” he said.
Early voting for the November 3 general election began October 14 and runs through October 29.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
