Official announcement from the House Intelligence Committee or House Speaker Mike Johnson

Speaker Johnson Removes Mike Turner as Intelligence Chair, Denies Trump's Involvement, Cites Need for Fresh Start

Jan 15, 2025, 11:04 PM

House Speaker Mike Johnson has removed Representative Mike Turner as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, marking a significant shakeup in one of Capitol Hill's most powerful panels. Turner, a Republican from Ohio, is known for his support of Ukraine and NATO and is a member of the Main Street GOP. He has been a proponent of surveillance programs like FISA 702 and had called for direct military intervention if North Korea assisted Russia in Ukraine. Reports suggest that former President Donald Trump requested Turner's removal due to concerns that Turner was too close to intelligence agencies and not sufficiently supportive of Trump's agenda. Turner had opposed the resolution to censure and fine Adam Schiff and was seen as not quick to "bend the knee" to Trump. Johnson, however, denied Trump's involvement, stating, "This is not a President Trump decision. This is a House decision. The intelligence community needs a fresh start." Johnson added, "We just need fresh horses in some of these places." Turner's removal means he will not be on the Intelligence Committee at all due to House rules limiting terms for members without exceptions. The ranking Democrat on the committee, Representative Jim Himes, expressed deep concern, saying the move "sends a shiver down my spine" and that he is "enormously concerned." The successor to Turner is expected to be announced tomorrow. Turner's departure has raised questions about the future direction of the Intelligence Committee and its oversight functions.