Jordan Named House Minority Leader After Strauss Survivor Objects
Michael DiSabato, a former Ohio State wrestler, criticized the selection, citing Jordan's denial of knowledge regarding Dr. Richard Strauss's abuse.
By Priya Marino ·
U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio was elected House minority leader in a closed-door vote Tuesday. The selection positions the Ohio Republican to lead the GOP opposition as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress in January. The promotion immediately drew criticism from Michael DiSabato, a former Ohio State wrestler and survivor of Dr. Richard Strauss.
DiSabato issued a statement arguing that Jordan, who served as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State from 1986 to 1994, denies knowing about the sexual abuse committed by Strauss during that same period. Strauss, a sports medicine doctor at the university, abused at least 177 students, mostly male athletes, between 1978 and 1998. He died by suicide in 2005.
"House Republicans missed an opportunity to show they heard what voters said at the ballot box last week," DiSabato said. He described Jordan as a "legislative terrorist" who prioritizes protecting Donald Trump while still denying knowledge of the abuse endured by survivors.
DiSabato is calling on Jordan to use his new role to join House Democrats in demanding a congressional investigation into campus sexual abuse. He suggested Jordan should explain under oath why he maintains that he did not know what Strauss did. "I’m willing to testify under oath about what I saw, what I heard, and what I experienced. Is he?" DiSabato asked.
Jordan has consistently denied awareness of Strauss, including during a July 2025 deposition. In the HBO documentary "Surviving Ohio State," former wrestler Dan Ritchie stated that wrestlers openly complained about Strauss to Jordan. In 2018, President Trump defended Jordan, saying, "I believe him 100 percent. No question in my mind."
The long-running Strauss lawsuit reached a resolution in June of this year. The university board of trustees voted to settle with remaining plaintiffs and will pay $100 million to end the case. All but one of the 280 remaining survivors in the suit settled with the university.
Jordan has represented Ohio’s 4th District since 2007. His office did not respond to inquiries in time for publication. The next step in the leadership transition will occur when the new Congress convenes in January.
