House Speaker Mike Johnson will replace Rep. Mike Turner as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee in the wake of last year's fiasco over warnings about Russian space and nuclear technology, a person familiar with the decision said. He confirmed this to Fox News Digital.
Johnson (R-Louisiana) was frustrated with Turner (R-Ohio) after a seemingly unexpected warning he issued about the need to declassify information about Russian anti-satellite technology.
A hawk by nature, Turner has sometimes clashed with the Trumpist wing of the Republican Party on issues such as support for Ukraine and Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
The decision to replace Mr. Turner surprised many. Although Johnson did not formally name him chairman, Turner attended the House Republican Chairman's Dinner with President-elect Trump over the weekend.
Congressman Mike Turner says Biden administration was 'sleepwalking' on Russia's nuclear threat before surprise revelations
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio), chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, attends a press conference with members of the U.S. Congressional delegation in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 1, 2024. (Vitalii Nosach/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Rep. Jim Hymes (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, told reporters that Turner's removal as chairman “sends shivers down my spine,” adding that Turner “will bend the knee” to Trump. He added that he was not that kind of person. .
Last February, Turner warned of a “grave national security threat” and urged President Biden to declassify the information.
“We urge President Biden to declassify all information related to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions needed to address this threat.” added.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will replace Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Mr Johnson was then left to quell public fears.
“I have seen Chairman Turner's statement on this issue and I want to assure the American people that there is no need for alarm,” Johnson said.
House Intel Chairman Turner warns of 'grave national security threat', asks Biden to declassify
“I'm not at liberty to release classified information and can't really say much, but what I want to tell you is that a steady hand is on the wheel and we're working on it. There is no need to be alarmed,” he added.
In the days that followed, details of the Russian threat quickly began to reach the media, and a picture of a neutralized enemy began to be painted. american military satellite and other critical space-based infrastructure.
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) has been fearless in speaking out against President-elect Trump. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
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Over the years, Turner fearlessly stood up to Trump at times. In September, he criticized President Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance for amplifying rumors that Haitian immigrants were eating pets.
“This is incredibly tragic and completely untrue. This should never have happened. It's tearing our community apart,” Turner told CNN's Jake Tapper at the time.
