Andrew Dorn and Joe Kalil
39 minutes ago
(NewsNation) — President Joe Biden's national security adviser met Thursday with a group of senior lawmakers known as the “Gang of Eight” to discuss reportedly classified information related to Russia's weapons capabilities in space. We are planning to discuss.
The press conference comes as House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) on Wednesday urged the Biden administration to declassify information about what he called a “grave national security threat.” It was done as requested.
Turner's warning was not detailed, but reportedly related to intelligence about Russian anti-satellite weapons deployed in space. Congressional aides told The Associated Press that it's unclear whether the weapon has nuclear capabilities, but that's the fear.
On Thursday, Republican Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) denounced Turner's actions as a “reckless disregard” for “the potential implications of the speaker's comments on U.S. foreign and domestic policy.” It called for a formal investigation into “certain impacts.”
“It is clear that the goal was not to ensure the safety of the homeland and the American people, but to secure additional funding for Ukraine and the passage of an unreformed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA),” Ogles said. '', he said in the letter. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told reporters on Wednesday that there was “no need to alarm the public” regarding classified information.
Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, said the classified information was “important” but “not a cause for panic.”
Lawmakers who reviewed the information on SCIF (Secure Area for Screening Information) echoed that sentiment.
“The White House needs to take this seriously. As long as they do that, I think we'll be fine,” Florida Republican Rep. Byron Donald told NewsNation.
Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., said he hopes House Speaker Johnson will work with Democrats to ensure that “national security is not politics.”
Due to the sensitive nature of the content, neither MP was able to discuss what they read.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Wednesday that Turner had already set up a meeting with the Gang of Eight to discuss intelligence activities, so he criticized Turner's public coming out. He said he was surprised. Sullivan said he has personally contacted senior lawmakers, which he called “highly unusual.”
Sullivan did not provide details about the nature of the threat.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
