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Senate Intelligence Vice Chair Criticizes Ouster of House Intelligence Chair

Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), who serves as the vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed his astonishment on Thursday regarding the removal of Representative Mike Turner (R-Ohio) from the position of chair of the House Intelligence panel. Warner’s comments reflect a broader concern among some lawmakers about the implications of this leadership change.

Warner commended Turner for his effective bipartisan leadership, highlighting the importance of collaboration in overseeing the nation’s intelligence community. He stated, “I don’t have the foggiest idea why he was removed. Maybe because he was such a stalwart supporter of Ukraine and [was] willing to push back against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin.”

The senator emphasized the significance of Turner’s role in fostering a culture of respect within the committee, which he believes has been lacking in the past. Warner added, “Mike Turner was the kind of guy who brought the House Intelligence Committee back to the kind of bipartisan respect that I think it lost in the past. I wish Mike well.” He also mentioned having a “brief conversation” with Turner following the announcement of his ouster, reiterating his surprise at the decision.

Turner has been vocal in his criticism of what he perceives as Russian influence within Republican ranks, particularly concerning the party’s stance on providing military assistance to Ukraine. In an April interview, he stated that Russian propaganda had “absolutely” infiltrated Republican discussions, pointing out the prevalence of anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia sentiments that he claimed were being echoed in congressional debates.

Having served as the chair of the House Intelligence panel since 2022, Turner’s removal has raised concerns among both parties. Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the leading Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, described Turner as a dedicated lawmaker focused on national security and effective oversight of the intelligence community. Himes remarked, “The removal of Chairman Turner makes our nation less secure and is a terrible portent for what’s to come.”

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) also weighed in, labeling the decision “shameful.” He praised Turner as a “serious, thoughtful and highly-principled leader, whose work as Chair of the House Intelligence Committee has been extremely impactful.”

The announcement of Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) decision not to reappoint Turner as chair took many members of Congress by surprise, prompting questions about the future direction of the House Intelligence Committee.

Source
thehill.com