Nancy Pelosi can block GOP obstructionist Jim Jordan from joining the impeachment inquiry — here's how

Republicans in recent days have floated a proposal to boost President Donald Trump’s defense in Congress by placing outspoken Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan (R) on the House Intelligence Committee, which is investigating possible high crimes and misdemeanors committed by the president.

According to recent reports from CBS News and other outlets, Republican leadership are “active and serious” about Jordan’s appointment to the Intelligence Committee.

Jordan, who was a fixture on the select committee for Benghazi, currently serves on the House Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform committees. Republicans hope that Jordan could slow the impeachment inquiry while scoring some points for the president.

But elections have consequences, and House rules give the Speaker the power to ban any member from a select committee like the House Intelligence Committee, as Fox News reporter Chad Pergram noted on Tuesday.

For her part, Pelosi has not yet hinted at whether Jordan will be put in a position where he can participate with or obstruct the inquiry.