Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, told reporters Wednesday morning that he is running for speaker of the House -- the first member to publicly throw their hat in the ring.

Jordan, a top Trump ally and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has ruled out running for speaker in the past.

Jordan said Wednesday morning that the messages and phone calls of support he has received so far "seems strong."

"I think the key is to unite the conference," Jordan said. "I think I can."

In addition to Jordan, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has begun making calls to gauge support as has Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders and Arthur Jones

Former President Donald Trump, arriving to court for the third day of his civil fraud trial, commented on the speaker's race -- specifically, the calls from some hard-line conservatives such as Marjorie Taylor Greene for him to serve in the role.

"I'll do whatever it is to help. But my focus, my total focus is being president," he told reporters.

It's not the first time we've heard Trump's name floated for the position. Back in January, amid McCarthy's fraught battle for the gavel, Gaetz actually cast a ballot for Trump during one of the 15 rounds of voting.

It would technically be possible because the Constitution doesn't specify that the person be a current member or member-elect, but it's not likely.

Trump didn't say who he would like to see succeed McCarthy but said, "We have some great people in the Republican Party that could do a great job as speaker."

-ABC's Lalee Ibssa, Soorin Kim and Kendall Ross

Rep. Patrick McHenry, the new speaker pro tempore, is currently occupying the speaker of the House's office in the Capitol. Notably, the sign still reads "Speaker Of The House Kevin McCarthy."

-ABC's Arthur Jones

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has started making the rounds, calling members to see if they would support him if he formally threw his hat in the ring, sources told ABC News.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who has previously dismissed the idea of wanting to be speaker -- would not rule it out on Tuesday night. Republicans sources close to Jordan say he has started to have conversations about a potential bid.

Another name being floated for the position: Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern, the head of the Republican Study Committee.

The House has canceled votes and all remaining legislative business for the week. Republicans plan to gather behind closed doors Tuesday for a candidate forum -- eyeing a vote for speaker as early as Wednesday, sources said.

Now-former Speaker McCarthy addressed reporters from Capitol Hill on Tuesday night where he looked back at his years in Republican leadership, touted his record -- and struck an optimistic if ambiguous note about his future.

"I believe I can continue to fight," McCarthy said, while noting that he will not run again for speaker after he lost a historic vote on the motion to vacate earlier in the day.

"My goals have not changed. My ability to fight is just in a different form," he said, later adding, "I'll never give up on the American people. That doesn't mean I have to be speaker."

McCarthy also swiped at the conservative rebels who ousted him from his role -- stressing that they were just 4% of the GOP conference -- and claimed that Gaetz was acting out of a personal sense of grievance in pushing him out, which Gaetz denies.

Despite the defeat he suffered from within his own party, McCarthy sounded largely sanguine about his political career.

He contended that the Democratic minority deciding to vote against him had made a "political decision" that undercut the ability of the House to govern.

"My fear is the institution fell today," he said.

Still, in largely valedictory remarks, he pointed back to work to cut government spending, expand his party's base and increase their majority in Congress, including by electing more women and minorities.

"I feel fortunate to have served the American people," he insisted. "I leave the speakership with a sense of pride, accomplishment and, yes, optimism."

-ABC News' Adam Carlson