Turner roiled the Hill on Wednesday with a cryptic statement warning of a “grave national security threat” and demanding the White House declassify all information related to the threat. Two people familiar with the matter spoke to Politico about threats related to Russia's efforts to develop anti-satellite nuclear weapons for use in space. Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged on Thursday that there was a threat related to Russia, but said it was not an “active capability” and that the White House is taking the matter very seriously and will provide further information soon. He said he intended to share.
Mr. Turner's office issued a statement Wednesday following Mr. Ogles' letter defending the warning.
“The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, in consultation with the Biden Administration, has notified Congress of this national security threat,” Turner wrote. “Additionally, the language of the bipartisan notice issued by the Speaker and Ranking Member to all members of the House was approved by the administration prior to publication. The House Intelligence Committee voted 23-1 to release this information to members. It passed. White House officials confirmed that, in their view, the issue was 'serious.'
Mr. Ogles' letter comes as House Republicans remain divided over Ukraine funding, with Mr. Johnson calling for a Senate-passed $95 billion aid bill that also includes money for Israel and Taiwan. The bill has refused to be brought to the floor due to opposition from conservatives. Mr Johnson has said he personally supports aid to Ukraine, but far-right members of his party, including Mr Ogles, have vocally opposed sending additional aid to the country fighting Russia. .
The House is also debating whether to approve sweeping changes to foreign surveillance authorities known as Section 702, which has faced backlash because it also collects large amounts of data from Americans. Mr. Turner opposes the proposed changes, which would require additional legal hurdles to exercise this power, arguing they would slow down important national security efforts.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a White House briefing Wednesday that he was “a little surprised” by Turner's public statement, but added: “That was his choice.”
Matt Berg contributed to this report.
