(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., removed Mike Turner, R-Ohio., as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, a move that garnered praise from conservatives due to Turner’s puzzling support for Ukrainian funding and Section 702 of the FISA law.
Johnson said Thursday that Turner’s removal was not tied to poor performance, but rather a need for a “fresh start” within the intelligence community and the new 119th Congress.
“I have nothing negative to say about Mike Turner,” Johnson said while fielding questions from reporters in the halls of Congress. Addressing questions of whether President-elect Donald Trump demanded the move, Johnson clarified the decision was his.
Speaker Johnson on removing Mike Turner as intel chair: “This is not a President Trump decision. This is a House decision, and this is no slight whatsoever to our outgoing chairman. He did a great job.” pic.twitter.com/lFparUcxnA
— Kit Maher (@KitMaherCNN) January 16, 2025
In a press statement shared on X, Turner expressed pride in serving as the chair of the House Intelligence Committee.
“Under my leadership, we restored the integrity of the Committee and returned its mission to its core focus of national security,” Turner claimed. “The threat from our adversaries is real and requires serious deliberations.”
He added, “My work to expand missions and capabilities at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base continues. Furthermore, I look forward to welcoming the NATO Parliamentary Assembly to Dayton in the coming months.”
I’m very proud to have served on the House Intelligence Committee and as its chairman. There are great members on the Committee, and I’m honored to have served with them.
Under my leadership, we restored the integrity of the Committee and returned its mission to its core focus…
— US Rep. Mike Turner (@RepMikeTurner) January 16, 2025
Johnson announced in a press release that Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., will replace Turner.
“Our intelligence community and its oversight must maintain the highest levels of trust,” Johnson wrote. “The House Intel Committee will play a pivotal role in this work in the new Congress, and Rick Crawford will provide principled leadership as its chairman.”
Turner’s removal drew criticism from Democrats, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., hailing him as “a serious, thoughtful and highly-principled leader.”
“Throughout his time in the House of Representatives, Chairman Turner has upheld his oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies and championed our national security interests,” Jeffries claimed.
Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., echoed Jeffries’s sentiments, calling Turner’s removal a “terrible portent for what’s to come.”
Himes added, “The Constitution demands Congress function as a check on the Executive Branch, not cater to its demands.”
Interesting how Democrats are far more upset about Mike Turner being removed from Intel Committee than any Republicans pic.twitter.com/qEIwwc6k1i
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) January 16, 2025
