Republican lawmakers have called for an investigation into the House Intelligence Committee's Republican chairman for allegedly undermining national security after he made public statements about classified information.
On Wednesday, Republican Rep. Mike Turner (Ohio), chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement: press release It confirmed the existence of an unspecified “grave national security threat” and called on President Joe Biden to declassify the information to the public. After that press release caused significant alarm and controversy, Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday, citing a “reckless disregard for the consequences” of Turner's release. requested an investigation, according to a letter obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. (Related: House Intel Chair demands Biden to declassify information on 'grave national security threats' recognized by all Congress)
“In retrospect, the goal was not to ensure the safety of the homeland and the American people, but rather to secure additional funding for Ukraine and the passage of an unreformed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It has become clear that this is the case,” Ogles wrote. in his letter. “This action amounts to, at the very least, a misjudgment and, at the most, a complete breach of trust influenced by the pursuit of a political agenda.”
February 15, 2024 Letter from Republican Representative Andy Ogles (TN-05) to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
Ogles addresses FISA concerns pending legislation Re-authenticate Section 702 The law allows the government to maintain a large-scale electronic surveillance program targeting foreign forces. The bill is controversial and faces bipartisan opposition from members of Congress on the left and right over concerns about loopholes that would allow for unconstitutional surveillance of Americans, and consideration of the bill is planned. cancel Wednesday in the House of Commons.
“I wouldn't be surprised if this happened.” [unspecified threat] It has something to do with the fact that FISA is under review… Whenever you start talking about FISA reform, you know, that's how the Intel community tries to bring out the boogeyman.'' Republican Rep. Eli Crane spoke at DCNF. Wednesday.
Reports on Wednesday suggested the threat was related to the Russian Federation's ongoing development of satellite-borne nuclear capabilities. However, not a single member of Congress would confirm the information to DCNF because it was classified.
As an elected committee, Mr. Turner's role as chair is subject to the oversight of the Speaker of the House. appoint directly to him. Turner has been a member of the committee since 2015 and previously chaired the NATO Parliament, which is made up of parliamentarians from NATO member states.
Following Turner's press release on Wednesday, the White House and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence responded confirming the existence of the information but did not provide further details. Asked whether Americans should be worried about this threat, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said: answered: “It's impossible to answer that question with a straight 'yes'. ”
“I want to assure the public that there is no need for public alarm,” Johnson told the DCNF in Parliament House on Wednesday. “We're going to work together to address this problem. We're all working on classified and classified matters, but beyond that, I'm not at liberty to disclose classified information and in fact… I can’t say much more than that.”
“The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, in consultation with the Biden Administration, has worked to notify Congress of the national security threat,” Turner responded Thursday on Twitter, now known as X. I have written. “[L]A bipartisan notice of concern issued by the Speaker and Ranking Member to all members of the House of Representatives was approved by the administration prior to its publication. ”
Johnson's office did not respond to a request for comment.
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