Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has ousted Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee in a shakeup that comes nearly a year after he triggered a national panic with warnings about alleged Russian space nukes.
On Wednesday, the news broke that Turner had been sacked from the powerful position with Johnson seeking a “fresh start” for the incoming Trump administration which will be looking to deescalate the dangerous foreign adventures of Joe Biden and his allies that have dragged the U.S. to the brink of World War III.
Turner’s replacement caught many off guard – including the Ukraine hawk himself – who had attended a dinner with other House Republican committee chairs with the incoming president over the weekend, although Johnson had not officially named Turner as Intel Committee chair for the 119th Congress.
“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,” Turner said in a statement. “Under my leadership, we restored the integrity of the Committee and returned its mission to its core focus of national security. The threat from our adversaries is real and requires serious deliberations.”
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 rejected the idea that he replaced the Deep State favorite on orders from Trump, as some media outlets falsely reported.
“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,” the House speaker said, telling reporters that the panel “needs a fresh start” and “that’s what this is about. Nothing else.”
“It’s a new Congress. We just need fresh horses in some of these places, but I’m a Mike Turner fan. He’s done a great job. He performed valiantly in a difficult time under difficult circumstances,” Johnson said. “I have nothing but positive things to say.”
Last Valentine’s Day, Turner sparked hysteria when he warned of a “serious national security threat” concerning the alleged space weapons that were being deployed by the Russians.
Statement from Chairman @RepMikeTurner: pic.twitter.com/OA9yJuEPlf
— House Intelligence Committee (@HouseIntel) February 14, 2024
At the time, the tens of billions of dollars that Biden had demanded for Ukraine was stalled in the House and Turner had only days earlier proudly posted a picture of him shaking hands with Zelenskyy during a congressional delegation’s visit to the notoriously corrupt Eastern European country.
I led a bipartisan CODEL to Kyiv, where we met with President @ZelenskyyUa, @USAmbKyiv Blank, and senior Ukrainian officials.@RepFrenchHill, @RepJasonCrow, @RepSpanberger, Rep. @ZachNunn, and I reiterated America’s commitment to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. pic.twitter.com/dduQuLPB9D
— US Rep. Mike Turner (@RepMikeTurner) February 9, 2024
Johnson was among those who tried to dial down public alarm over Turner’s shocking announcement and reportedly was not pleased.
At the time, the Speaker told reporters that he “saw Chairman Turner’s statement on the issue, and I want to assure the American people there’s no need for public alarm.”
“I want to assure the American people: There’s no need for public alarm. … We want to assure everyone: Steady hands are at the wheel. We’re working on it.”
— Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) after House Intel Chair Mike Turner (R-OH) warned of a “serious national security threat” pic.twitter.com/S9yFrapjTp
— The Recount (@therecount) February 14, 2024
“I’m not at liberty to disclose classified information and really can’t say much of that, but we just want to assure everyone, steady hands are at the wheel, we’re working on it. There’s no need for alarm,” he added.
Turner has openly criticized Trump, including all but formally calling him a liar about reports that some Haitian migrants were rustling and eating cats and dogs in Springfield, OH, a town that had been overrun by the unwelcome guests who brought their foreign culture with them.
“This is incredibly tragic and completely untrue. This should not have happened, it’s been tearing the community apart,” he told CNN’s activist anchor Jake Tapper at the time.
Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), the top Democrat on the committee, slammed Johnson’s decision to replace his GOP friend who he described as “not quick to bend the knee.”
“Mike Turner is dedicated to national security and thoughtful oversight of the IC. His removal makes our nation less secure and is a terrible portent for what’s to come,” the congressman said in a statement.
Johnson is expected to name Turner’s replacement on Thursday.
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