Speaker Mike Johnson has made the decision to remove Representative Mike Turner from his position as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. This action follows a prolonged situation that began with a warning issued by Turner last February regarding a potential threat involving Russian space technology.
“Today, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has made available to all Members of Congress information concerning a serious national security threat,” he stated in a message that raised significant alarm.
Some members of the Republican Party perceive Turner’s ties to the intelligence community as overly strong, leading to conflicts with the more Trump-aligned faction of the GOP on several matters.
In response to the announcement of his removal from the committee chairmanship, Turner expressed his sentiments on X.
“I take great pride in having served on the House Intelligence Committee and as its chairman. The committee comprises outstanding members, and I am honored to have collaborated with them,” remarked the representative from Ohio.
“During my tenure, we reinstated the committee’s integrity and refocused its mission on national security. The threats posed by our adversaries are genuine and necessitate serious discussions. As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have been, and will continue to be, a staunch advocate for our military and national defense,” he added.
“My efforts to enhance missions and capabilities at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base are ongoing. Additionally, I eagerly anticipate the arrival of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Dayton in the upcoming months,” he stated.
The leading Democrat on the committee, Connecticut Representative Jim Himes, remarked that the news of Turner’s removal sent a “shiver” down his spine.
“The ousting of Chairman Turner diminishes our nation’s security and foreshadows troubling developments ahead. The Constitution mandates that Congress serve as a check and balance to the executive branch, rather than yielding to its demands,” he asserted.
The Speaker noted that he had reviewed “Chairman Turner’s statement on the matter, and I want to reassure the American public.”
I am unable to reveal classified information and cannot provide extensive details on the matter. However, I would like to reassure everyone that capable individuals are managing the situation, and we are actively addressing it. There is no cause for concern, he stated.
Johnson previously indicated his expectation to advance the majority of President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda through a single comprehensive bill by Memorial Day.
In a discussion on Fox News, Johnson mentioned that Republicans aim to incorporate a wide range of policy issues into a substantial reconciliation bill, thereby circumventing the 60-vote requirement typically necessary for most Senate legislation.
To pass reconciliation legislation in the Senate, a simple majority of 50 votes is sufficient.
“We are just 15 days away from the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump for his second term. It is essential that we begin implementing the agenda in the next two weeks to ensure he is fully prepared on his first day. There is much to accomplish, as you are aware. We have been strategizing and determining the order in which we will execute our plans, and we are genuinely enthusiastic about it,” Johnson remarked.
“In the end, President Trump will likely prefer, as he often states, one comprehensive bill. This approach has significant advantages, as it allows us to consolidate everything into a single up-or-down vote, which could be crucial for the nation, given the numerous components involved. It will also provide us with additional time to negotiate and ensure we get it right,” Johnson concluded.
