House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has removed Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) to the House Intelligence Committee, citing concerns that President-elect Donald Trump had about Turner. It is reported that he was fired by the head of the department.
Prime Minister Johnson's first decision was to remove Turner from his position as head of the House of Commons Standing Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI). reported Wednesday's report by Punchbowl News marks Mr. Johnson's first major reforms in the new parliament.
The speaker has the sole power to appoint the chairs of selected committees, and Mr. Johnson had delayed making a formal announcement about the committee's leadership this session, but Mr. Turner's firing is the most important on Capitol Hill. I was surprised.
Privacy advocates on both sides of the aisle have frequently criticized Mr. Turner for being at the mercy of intelligence agencies. Trump was particularly irritated by his eagerness to preserve the provisions of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows intelligence agencies to spy on Americans without a warrant. Critics of Section 702 argue that the provision empowers the deep state beyond its constitutional basis.
Mr. Turner faced off with fellow Ohioan Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) over the future course of reauthorization of FISA, and Mr. Turner's approach won, ultimately leading to an agreement in April 2024. It was approved. The two committees have divided jurisdiction over FISA, and the Judiciary Committee's approach to reauthorizing FISA would have made further progress in promoting reform.
Mr. Turner was also one of the most vocal supporters of foreign aid to Ukraine to fight its increasingly inscrutable war against Russia.
turner Confirmed CBS News reported that Johnson cited “concerns from Mar-a-Lago” as the reason behind his decision to fire Johnson.
Mr. Johnson diplomatically denied Mr. Trump's role in the decision.
“It's a new parliament. We need fresh horses in some places, but I'm a fan of Mike Turner,” Johnson said Wednesday night at Parliament House on The Hill. report. “He's done a great job. He acted bravely under difficult circumstances and during difficult times.”
When asked about President Trump's involvement, Prime Minister Johnson said, “This is not President Trump's decision, this is a House decision,'' adding, “We, the intelligence community, and everything associated with the HPSCI need a fresh start.'' It is necessary and that is the decision we have made.” It's about. ”
This is not the first time Mr Johnson has used his authority over Mr Turner. In June 2024, Prime Minister Johnson will appoint two “controversial” conservative politicians, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pennsylvania) and Rep. Ronnie Jackson (R-Texas), to the committee. “blind'' Mr. Turner.
Perry and Jackson voted in favor of an amendment proposed by Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) to require a Section 702 warrant.
Prime Minister Johnson cast the decisive vote to repeal the Biggs Amendment, even though he had previously supported reforming Section 702 to prevent warrantless surveillance of Americans. The plan must be reauthorized in early 2026, and Mr. Trump is likely to push for the 702 reforms to go beyond 2024.
However, relations between Mr Johnson and Mr Turner appear to have begun to deteriorate in February 2024, after Mr Turner caused panic with cryptic comments publicly warning of an alleged threat from Russia. Republicans accused Turner of a politically driven maneuver to get Congress to pass a multibillion-dollar Ukraine aid bill and reauthorize FISA.
Mr. Johnson became speaker of the House of Representatives thanks to Mr. Trump, who pressured him to endorse him on January 3. Mr. Trump is likely to use his position against Mr. Johnson as long as both men remain in power.
But even if Johnson's actions against Turner were strongly encouraged by Trump, the move marks a new assertiveness for Johnson, who bowed to the will of Turner and other establishment figures in the last Congress on FISA and aid to Ukraine. are.
Mr. Turner voted against censuring the current senator. June 2023, Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), one of only 20 Republicans.
Bradley Jay is the deputy political editor at Breitbart News. please follow him X/Twitter and Instagram @BradleyAJaye.
