Bringing Jordan (R-Ohio) into the fold early on was one of several strategic moves that McCarthy and his allies credit with their ability to keep the GOP conference in line as Trump battles the threat of impeachment. He also zeroed in on potential weaknesses in Democrats’ handling of the impeachment process and knit the main players together through regular practice sessions before every hearing.

“The key to the unity Republicans have right now is the early decisions he made putting people in positions of power,” said Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), pointing to Jordan atop the Oversight panel and Rep. Doug Collins (Ga.) as Republican leader of the House Judiciary Committee.

“That has worked quite well,” McHenry added. “And we benefited as a conference from these early decisions.”