One of President Donald Trump’s most prominent allies in Congress could soon become his highest-ranking defender against a barrage of Democrat-led investigations and impeachment threats.

Several House Republicans told Digital they expect the chamber will slide out of their control come November — and with it, a major shake-up in their top leadership ranks.

«I don’t see a scenario where everyone gets to keep their job,» one House GOP lawmaker bluntly told Digital. «I think [Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.] would be first out, and then [House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.] has got to decide if he’s going to run for leader and, can he beat [House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio]?»

Jordan and Scalise’s names came up often, in discussions with various House Republicans, all of whom spoke under the condition of anonymity to discuss internal conference matters.

HOUSE DEMS PLOT TRUMP INVESTIGATION BLITZ IF THEY SEIZE MAJORITY

A second House Republican said Jordan is the «number one name» in talks of a GOP minority leader.

HOUSE CONSERVATIVES UNLEASH MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR MIDTERM BLITZ AGAINST DEM ‘SOCIALIST’ INSURGENCY

The Ohio Republican already enjoys high name recognition among the party base. As the first lawmaker put it, «His celebrity status is very helpful … when Jim Jordan comes to town for you, you put 300 butts in seats.»

That status has been on full display so far this election cycle. Jordan has spent much of August and October traveling across the country campaigning for fellow House Republicans along the political spectrum, from vulnerable moderates to conservative MAGA acolytes.

TOP REPUBLICAN UNLOADS ON RISE OF ‘ANTI-AMERICAN’ CANDIDATES HEADING INTO MIDTERMS: ‘YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING’

It’s a far cry from the Jordan who ran for speaker in October 2023, when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s ouster sparked a historic scramble to replace him. Jordan’s bid at the time was marked by fervent conservative support and fierce opposition from moderates, several of whom said they felt threatened by Jordan’s allies for their opposition.

The first House Republican described his current persona as «Jim Jordan 2.0.»

«He’s taken steps to, I think, build out way beyond the Freedom Caucus in terms of people that support him,» that person said. «Like, he’s just a great citizen of the conference.»

But Jordan himself has not publicly pushed any leadership ambitions since the 2023 battle, when Johnson ended up speaker after several weeks of political chaos. The second House Republican said they’ve seen Jordan actively dismiss any such conversations.

He told Punchbowl News earlier this week that he was «focused on winning» the House majority.

The first person said, «I think [Jordan] quietly, without campaigning for it, has built up some infrastructure like that. But also, he could be throwing darts at leadership, and he’s not. He’s just trying to help us win.»

A third House Republican pointed out that, if Democrats win the House in another blue wave, many of Jordan’s most vocal opponents from 2023 will have lost their seats. And unlike a speaker race, where a majority of the full House is needed, a minority leader would only need to win a majority of the GOP conference.

«If we lose 20 or 30 of those guys and all you’re left are guys like me, I think Jim Jordan’s chances are much higher. Because the only people left in the conference are going to be conservative,» the third GOP lawmaker said, adding they would «1,000%» back Jordan.

POWER RANKINGS: FOR THE DEMOCRATS, WHERE COULD IT POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

But a potential minority leader Jordan would not come without a fight. Most House Republicans are privately expecting Scalise, Johnson’s No. 2 and a member of House GOP leadership since 2014, to run for the job.

«It’s very obvious they’re both jockeying for it,» a fourth House Republican told Digital. «Jordan’s a pretty big draw for a lot of folks. I think he might have a play there. But there’s a lot of people who are loyal to Steve, especially those that have been around a while.»

Like other members of House GOP leadership, Scalise has also spent recess traveling the country campaigning for Republican candidates. He is also known as a prolific fundraiser for the party.

A fifth GOP lawmaker said, «I would guess, at this point, that Scalise would be in the lead with Jordan running a close second.»

«And I think it would just depend on, you know, who would people see as a better fighter against the Democrats?» the fifth person posed.

A sixth House Republican said a fight between the Louisiana Republican and Jordan seemed on the horizon if Republicans lost, and argued Scalise is best positioned to continue leading if that majority comes back.

«In some respects, Jim Jordan, I think, would make a pretty good minority leader because he’s a bulldog … [but] I’ve never believed that Jim Jordan would be an effective speaker,» that sixth person said. «I think Steve Scalise probably is the best candidate that we have out there that has experience in dealing with the administration, that understands the must-pass portion of our agenda … and is our best negotiator.»

It would likely be a bruising battle, given there’s no love lost between the two men after their competing bids for speaker after McCarthy’s ouster. Scalise had won a majority of Republicans in a head-to-head against Jordan behind closed doors but ultimately did not see a House floor vote. Jordan’s 2023 bid collapsed after he failed to clinch a majority on the House floor. 

JOHNSON DELIVERS BIG FOR TRUMP, BUT FRUSTRATION GROWS ACROSS RAZOR-THIN GOP MAJORITY

But it’s not clear if it may even come to that.

«I think that if Johnson runs for minority leader, he would still get the votes,» the fifth person said. «He’s done everything you could ask of a leader. He’s raised the money, he’s been on the road. He’s cobbled together very difficult votes over the last two years that no one thought possible.»

There is also a world where Republicans defy expectations to keep the House. And in that world, Johnson is all but guaranteed to remain in charge.

«Speaker Mike Johnson is an example of the American Dream. As Speaker, he’s continued to defy the odds with a slim House majority and pass America First-bills,» Trump’s campaign posted on X. «After Republicans win in November, they should re-elect Mike as Speaker quickly!»

If the polls prove correct, however, most people are expecting Johnson to willingly step aside.

«I don’t think he’s going to want to be minority leader after being the Speaker of the House, like, that doesn’t make any sense to me,» the fourth House Republican said.

The third GOP lawmaker was more blunt: «Johnson’s done.»

Johnson himself dismissed any talk of leadership races in an interview with Digital last month.

«I really haven’t given it a moment’s thought because we’re laser focused,» he said when asked if he would seek to be minority leader. «This is a midterm unlike any other, and I’m convinced we are going to defy history and keep and grow this majority.»

If Johnson’s prediction does not pan out, one member of leadership is expected to have a good shot at staying in his place: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.

Emmer has been privately telling House Republicans that he intends to run for the whip job again no matter what, multiple people told Digital, avoiding a possible collision course with Jordan and Scalise.

«I think it was a brilliant move, saying, ‘You know what? I’m not going to do anything but try to keep my own spot,’» the first House GOP lawmaker said. «I think Tom’s got pretty wide respect, and most of the hand-wringing from people was, ‘I don’t want to have to pick between Tom and Jim.’»

The fifth person said, «It’s my understanding that Emmer is, if there is a race, going to be happy being the No. 2.»

But nothing is a sure thing in an environment where multiple House Republicans have said they are expecting a «bloodbath» in the midterms.

Three GOP lawmakers told Digital they expect Democrats to win between 20 and 25 seats — with Republicans’ redistricting efforts sparing them from an even more devastating loss.

A solid defeat, several House Republicans warned, could have people clamoring for a full leadership shake-up.

The second House Republican said the entire leadership team could be «wiped out» in that situation.

«It strikes me that there wouldn’t be a high likelihood of everybody just being OK with the status quo,» the first person said.

In that case, there is another name people see waiting in the wings for a potential leadership bid: Republican Study Committee Chairman August Pfluger, R-Texas.

«I keep hearing rumors but have not heard that directly,» a seventh House Republican said. «My guess is that he is preparing to make a run in case the opportunity presents itself, but he’s being tactically quiet.»

The second House Republican said they heard his name second only to Jordan in terms of frequency.

«When I was a candidate, I had no idea who he was, but he called me and gave money to my campaign,» the first lawmaker said. «He’s very ambitious, but I don’t know what he’s aiming those ambitions towards.»

Several people speculated that he could run for the No. 2 job as whip if Emmer opted to step aside or was forced to.

The fourth House Republican said they could see a world where Pfluger runs to be chairman of the House GOP campaign arm, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

«I think that he’s positioned himself very well to be able to be in some sort of leadership position. I think it just depends on what that looks like,» that person said.

But there is one thing Republican lawmakers seem to largely agree on: November is not looking good.

«Everyone that I have talked to across the country is seeing the same numbers that I’m seeing. So if you’re in anything less than an R+6, I think you’re at risk,» the third House Republican said.

The first person said, «There seems to be a lot of panic buttons being pushed.»

politics, jim jordan, steve scalise, mike johnson, house of representatives politics

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Dual UK-Iranian citizen arrested in air base probe

Retired Vice Adm. Robert Harward discusses the arrest in the U.K. air base alleged terrorism plot, the latest developments in the investigation, the broader security implications for U.S. and allied military installations and the Iran conflict on ‘America Reports.’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Two Latvian nationals legally living in the United Kingdom were arrested under Section 4 of Britain’s National Security Act of 2023 Thursday after allegedly breaching a perimeter fence at RAF Molesworth, a sensitive British military base housing critical U.S. and NATO intelligence operations, Reuters reported.

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The arrests triggered a major counterterrorism investigation into the security breach at the strategic installation, which serves as a central intelligence hub supporting American military commanders across Europe and Africa.

The base is also undergoing a $556.5 million expansion centered on the Joint Intelligence Analysis Complex (JIAC), a location designed to consolidate 20 intelligence facilities and accommodate more than 1,000 personnel, according to reports.

IRAN UNDER SCRUTINY AFTER PLOT FOILED NEAR UK BASE USED BY US MILITARY

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The suspects, ages 32 and 36, were discovered inside the base around 2 a.m. Thursday after an extensive security sweep.

Ministry of Defense Police officers conducting routine patrols first raised the alarm around 10 p.m. Wednesday after finding an abandoned vehicle near the perimeter.

A police vehicle leaves RAF Molesworth after two Latvian nationals were arrested on suspicion of entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the U.K., police said in a statement. (Reuters/Chris Radburn)

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Bomb disposal specialists cleared the vehicle before armed officers discovered a fence breach and located the men inside.

Initially detained on suspicion of trespass and criminal damage, both men were arrested again under the National Security Act for allegedly entering a prohibited place for a purpose prejudicial to the United Kingdom. They remain in custody as counterterrorism detectives execute search warrants at two residential properties in nearby Peterborough.

Managed by the U.S. Air Force’s 423rd Air Base Group, RAF Molesworth is a nonflying installation dedicated to joint intelligence and command operations.

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It houses intelligence elements for U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command and the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre.

During World War II, the airfield was used by the U.S. 15th Bombardment Squadron. In 1973, the airfield was officially deactivated before transitioning into its current role as an intelligence center.

Construction on the JIAC broke ground April 12, 2024, with onsite work beginning that spring. The facility is scheduled for completion in summer 2028.

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FOILED TERROR PLOT AT BOMBER BASE SIGNALS WIDER THREAT TO US MILITARY INSTALLATIONS: EXPERT

RAF Molesworth is a nonflying installation dedicated to joint intelligence and command operations. (Reuters/Chris Radburn)

A 2024 Defense Department release described the base development as part of the department’s overall European Infrastructure Consolidation efforts.

«It will combine 20 facilities and over 1,000 DIA personnel into one location. Among others, it will host members of the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre, Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. European Command and U.S. Air Force elements in a cross-agency, multi-mission collaboration.»

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At the time, Defense Intelligence Agency Deputy Director Suzanne White said the facility would enable «the U.S. and allies’ shared mission of ‘outpacing our strategic competitors and addressing threats together wherever they may arise.’»

The Defense Department designed the project with a two-stage procurement strategy, allowing stakeholder agencies to provide feedback and streamline scheduling requirements.

Following the intrusion, U.S. European Command praised the swift British response.

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US PULLS ALL BOMBERS FROM KEY UK BASE AFTER SUSPECTED IRAN-LINKED TERROR PLOT

Two Latvian nationals legally living in the United Kingdom were arrested under Section 4 of Britain’s National Security Act of 2023 Thursday after allegedly breaching a perimeter fence at RAF Molesworth, a sensitive British military base housing critical U.S. and NATO intelligence operations. (Reuters/Chris Radburn)

«While we assess the global security posture, U.S. forces remain at the highest state of readiness,» the command said in a statement.

«We would also express our gratitude to the UK for the close partnership with U.S. forces on matters of security.»

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British counterterrorism officials cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about possible espionage or terrorist motives.

«We’re very aware of the recent heightened interest and concern around military sites,» Counterterrorism Policing London commander Helen Flanagan said.

Flanagan added that investigators have not established a connection between the Molesworth breach and recent security concerns at RAF Fairford, another British base used by U.S. strategic bombers.

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«We are keeping an open mind at this stage and inquiries are very much ongoing,» she said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon and the CIA for comment.

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Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture. 

world, national security, united kingdom, nato, armed forces, homeland security, military

Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed traded personal attacks and accusations during a heated Michigan U.S. Senate debate Thursday night, clashing over everything from affordability, the war in Iran and U.S. support for Israel to their respective financial dealings and personal backgrounds.

The contentious showdown in Grand Rapids marked the first time the two candidates faced off onstage ahead of November’s closely watched election after Rogers declined to participate in a debate last month hosted by 2 Detroit, citing concerns about the moderator’s impartiality.

At the top of Thursday’s debate, what began as a discussion about affordability quickly devolved into personal attacks, with Rogers repeatedly questioning El-Sayed’s medical credentials and accusing him of misleading voters. El-Sayed accused the former congressman of enriching himself through corporate connections.

«He’s lying. So, he lied about being a physician. He lied now about being an Egyptian citizen or not being an Egyptian citizen,» Rogers charged during one particularly heated exchange. «That’s a con man.»

EL-SAYED’S SCATHING OBAMA CRITIQUE RESURFACES AHEAD OF JOINT CAMPAIGN RALLY

El-Sayed, who holds a medical degree from Columbia University, rejected the attacks and accused Rogers of attempting to distract voters from issues affecting their everyday lives.

«He wanted to make this about him or me. But the question is about you,» El-Sayed responded. «Can you afford your gas? Can you afford your groceries under this guy who’s going to rubber stamp everything Donald Trump tells him to rubber stamp?»

The candidates also sparred over their personal finances, with El-Sayed repeatedly accusing Rogers of profiting from corporate relationships after leaving Congress and referencing his Florida property and alleged yacht ownership. 

Rogers, who denied owning any yachts, countered by questioning El-Sayed’s investments and alleged overseas property holdings in the UAE, while also slamming him for accepting money from billionaires despite simultaneously stumping on not taking money from corporate PACs and getting money out of politics.

EL-SAYED GRILLED ON PIKER, ISRAEL AND SOCIALIST TIES AFTER MIKE ROGERS SKIPS SENATE DEBATE

The exchanges became so heated that moderator Rick Albin repeatedly intervened.

«Look, here’s the situation. We’ve got dozens of questions we want to get to. You can’t litigate all of these with 14 different rebuttals,» Albin told the candidates. 

After a commercial break, Albin remarked that, in 30 years of moderating debates, he had never witnessed candidates continue arguing throughout a commercial break. 

The personal accusations remained constant throughout much of Thursday night’s debate, but one of the evening’s sharpest policy disagreements emerged over Israel and Iran.

Asked whether he would support providing defensive weapons to Israel if the country were attacked by Iran or another state actor, El-Sayed indicated he would not and reiterated his opposition to using American taxpayer dollars to fund foreign militaries.

«I don’t want our tax dollars buying weapons for other countries. I don’t know what’s so hard about that,» El-Sayed said.

MICHIGAN STUDENT CONFRONTS EL-SAYED OVER IRAN STANCE IN TENSE EXCHANGE: ‘DO YOU STAND WITH US?’

«I think both of them have proven dangerous in their own way. One at risk of attacking us, one getting us into wars we have no business fighting,» he added, referring to Israel and Iran.

El-Sayed also declined to say whether Israel or Iran posed the greater threat to the United States despite repeated questioning from the moderator.

«I think both of them have proven dangerous in their own way,» El-Sayed said. «One at risk of attacking us, one getting us into wars. We have no business fighting.»

Rogers, by contrast, indicated he would support providing defensive weapons to Israel and reiterated his support for the Jewish state. 

He repeatedly accused El-Sayed of having connections to individuals and organizations supportive of terrorist groups as well, allegations El-Sayed disputed.

ABDUL EL-SAYED HITS BACK AT ISRAEL QUESTIONS, SUGGESTS HIS NAME AND FAITH ARE BEHIND PRESS SCRUTINY

The pair also differed on whether the war could come to an end if Iran still maintains the ability to produce a nuclear weapon and continues to exert control over the Strait of Hormuz.

El-Sayed blamed the conflict for rising gas prices and accused Rogers of supporting an unnecessary war, arguing that diplomacy could resolve the conflict even if Iran retained the ability to produce nuclear weapons.

Rogers argued that Iran’s nuclear capabilities had been significantly diminished and said the war should end, while maintaining that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

On domestic policy, El-Sayed expressed openness to federal price controls on domestically produced oil, arguing that high gasoline prices constituted an emergency.

«Look, I definitely think that’s something we should consider,» El-Sayed said.

DEMOCRATS FACE ‘DO-OR-DIE’ SPLIT WITH KEY VOTING BLOC IN RAZOR-CLOSE SENATE RACE

Rogers rejected price controls, instead advocating temporary gas tax relief, diesel rebates and a pause on diesel exports.

Healthcare also became a major flash point.

El-Sayed defended his Medicare-for-all proposal, insisting that Americans who wanted to retain private insurance could do so. Rogers argued that the proposal would eliminate existing private coverage and impose significant new taxes on families.

The debate unfolded against the backdrop of an exceptionally competitive Senate contest.

A late-September poll showed El-Sayed leading Rogers 50% to 49% among likely voters, a statistical dead heat.

The candidates are competing for the seat being vacated by retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters, with Republicans hoping to flip the seat and Democrats seeking to maintain their hold on it.

midterm elections, michigan, senate, elections, abdul el sayed, controversies state and local, republicans elections