Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls for investigation into 'reckless' leak of national security threat by Intel chairman

politics

by josh christenson

House Freedom Caucus member Andy Ogles told Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday that the intelligence committee would reveal to the American public “serious national security threats” that could involve Russian space nuclear weapons. They called for an investigation into the decision of the association's chairman, Mike Turner.

Mr. Ogles (R-Tenn.) sent a letter to Mr. Johnson (R-Louisiana) requesting a formal investigation into the disclosure, stating that Mr. Turner (R-Ohio) had “noted the likely impact of the information.” “There was a reckless disregard for the results.” Whether it's geopolitics, domestic or international markets, or the well-being and spirit of the American people. ”

The “immediate” threat, one Hill source told the Post, was about Russia's plans to deploy nuclear weapons in space to shoot down Western satellites, current and former intelligence officials said. He later spoke to the media.

The potential attack would threaten communications, scientific and military tools, but was not aimed at dropping bombs on the ground, according to ABC, the New York Times and the Washington Post.

Mr. Ogles said Mr. Turner was secretly trying to push through $60 billion in additional funding to Ukraine amid the war with Russia and reauthorize the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) without reforms demanded by data privacy hawks. He claimed to have disclosed the material.

“This action amounts to, at the very least, a misjudgment and, at the most, a complete breach of trust influenced by the pursuit of a political agenda,” he said.

“It is with great reluctance that I formally request an investigation into the impact that the Chairman's statements may have had on U.S. foreign and domestic policy.”

He hinted that the findings could lead to Turner's removal as chairman, and urged Johnson to “reassure” Congress and the public that the Intelligence Committee was not “corrupt” by the executive branch agencies it oversees. asked Mr.

Turner fired back in a statement Thursday that his committee “worked in consultation with the Biden administration to inform Congress of this national security threat,” confirming some level of executive branch coordination. .

“Furthermore, 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,” Turner said.

“The House Intelligence Committee voted 23-1 to release this information to members of Congress. White House officials confirmed that, in their view, the matter was 'serious.'”

White House National Security Council Press Secretary John Kirby on Thursday called speculation that the leak story was a deliberate effort to pressure House Republicans into providing more funding to Ukraine. I scoffed.

Ogle later told Politico He said he “chooses not to look at classified information” in the Capitol's Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF), but stressed that “that does not mean we don't know what's inside.” did.

Johnson told reporters Wednesday that he also wrote to the White House last month about the issue and had scheduled a Gang of Eight briefing with national security adviser Jake Sullivan for Thursday. .

He added that there was “no need to alarm the public” but that he could not discuss the matter further.

Sullivan expressed dissatisfaction with Turner's release of the information during a White House press briefing on Wednesday, but told reporters the government was “protecting the national security of the United States.”

It remains unclear whether Russia needs space-orbiting nuclear weapons to destroy enemy satellites, or whether the Kremlin is still developing that capability.

Prime Minister Johnson has so far faced pressure from conservative members of his caucus to block aid to Ukraine, forcing a $95 billion national security supplement passed by the Senate on Monday into the House of Commons. He refuses to submit it to the meeting.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) directly compared the leaked threats to the Ukraine conflict in a statement Wednesday, saying, “The most pressing national security threat facing the American people today is… “There is a possibility that Congress will abandon Ukraine and allow President Vladimir to accept it.” Putin's Russia will win. ”

Freedom Caucus members had been lobbying this week for a FISA reform bill, a bill to end the FBI's warrantless surveillance of Americans, and other provisions, but their plans were canceled in the wake of Wednesday's events. The floor vote that had been held was suddenly withdrawn.

House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Jim Himes (D-Conn.) told CNN on wednesday he had did not agree Mr Turner made the decision to publicize the national security threat, calling it “serious” but “not a cause for panic”.

Another Freedom Caucus member, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), sided with Himes. Focus on it The release is “oddly timed given the efforts this week to end warrantless government surveillance.”