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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday strongly criticized Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) for his unexpected decision to remove Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) as chair of the House Intelligence Committee, calling the move “shameful” and detrimental to U.S. national security.
“Mike Turner is a serious, thoughtful, and highly-principled leader whose work as Chair of the House Intelligence Committee has been extremely impactful,” Jeffries said in a statement.
“Throughout his tenure in the House, Chairman Turner has upheld his oath to support and defend the Constitution and championed our national security interests.”
Jeffries highlighted Turner’s role in promoting the safety of the American people and his strong support for national security priorities, including close ties with NATO allies and robust assistance for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
“His unjustified ouster is likely being applauded by our adversaries in Russia and China,” Jeffries added. “Shameful.”
Turner’s removal, announced on Wednesday, has sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill. As a staunch advocate for U.S. alliances and a vocal critic of Russia, Turner’s leadership on the committee has been widely respected across party lines.
However, his positions have also made him a target for some within the GOP aligned with former President Trump’s “America First” agenda. Turner was one of the few House Republicans who voted to certify President Biden’s 2020 election victory, opposing Trump’s efforts to overturn results in Arizona and Pennsylvania.
The decision to remove Turner has been interpreted by some Democrats as a sign of Johnson’s allegiance to Trump’s influence over the GOP.
Jeffries’s criticism echoes broader Democratic concerns that Johnson and other Republican leaders are prioritizing Trump’s preferences in both policy and personnel as the former president prepares for a potential return to the White House.
Speaker Johnson, for his part, defended the decision, stating that Turner had performed well as chair but that new leadership was needed to mark the start of a new Congress. “It’s a new Congress. We just need fresh horses in some of these places,” Johnson said during a press briefing.
Critics argue that Turner’s removal undermines the Intelligence Committee’s stability at a time when global threats are on the rise. As chair, Turner had been a key voice advocating for bipartisan solutions to pressing national security issues, from Russian aggression to cybersecurity challenges.
His commitment to ensuring robust U.S. engagement with allies and addressing foreign threats stood in stark contrast to the isolationist policies favored by some in Trump’s inner circle.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions within the Republican Party between traditional conservatives and Trump-aligned factions.
Turner’s removal not only fuels concerns about the party’s direction under Johnson’s leadership but also raises questions about the future of bipartisan collaboration on critical issues like intelligence and defense.
While Johnson insists that the change was procedural, Democrats see it as a calculated move to appease Trump-aligned conservatives. Jeffries’s remarks reflect the growing anxiety among Democrats that such decisions could compromise national security at a time of increasing global instability.
Turner’s supporters, including members of both parties, have expressed disappointment over the decision, praising his steadfast leadership and unwavering commitment to U.S. security interests.
The removal marks a significant shift in the House Intelligence Committee’s leadership and raises uncertainty about how the committee will navigate future challenges under new leadership.
As the debate continues, Jeffries and other Democrats remain vocal in their opposition, warning that prioritizing political calculations over experienced leadership could have serious consequences for the nation’s security.
