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Speaker Johnson Replaces Mike Turner with Rick Crawford as House Intelligence Chair, Citing Need for 'Fresh Start'

Jan 16, 2025, 03:30 PM

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has removed Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, stating that "the intelligence community and everything related—it needs a fresh start." Johnson appointed Rep. Rick Crawford of Arkansas to replace Turner, who had been a defense hawk and supporter of aid to Ukraine. Turner, who also supported the reauthorization of FISA and had held views that put him at odds with President Donald Trump, suggested that concerns from Mar-a-Lago were a factor in his removal. Johnson denied any involvement from Trump, saying, "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." Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, expressed concern over Turner's removal, saying it "sends a shiver down my spine" and that he is "enormously concerned." Crawford, who has opposed additional aid to Ukraine, will now lead the committee responsible for overseeing the nation's intelligence agencies. The move has raised concerns among lawmakers from both parties over potential implications for U.S. national security.