Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) is calling on House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to open a formal inquiry of fellow Republican, House Intelligence Committee chair Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio).
Ogles said Turner was being “reckless” when he issued a statement on Wednesday calling on President Joe Biden to declassify intelligence on a “serious national security threat.”
In his letter on Thursday, Ogles, the chairman of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, accused Turner of politicizing the country’s national security to pass additional aid to Ukraine.
“This revelation by the Chairman was done with a reckless disregard of the implications and consequences said information would have on geopolitics, domestic and foreign markets, or the well-being and psyche of the American people,” Ogles wrote.
“In hindsight, it has become clear that the intent was not to ensure the safety of our homeland and the American people, but rather to ensure additional funding for Ukraine and passage of an unreformed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA),” he continued. “This act constituted poor judgement at a minimum and a complete breach of trust influenced by the pursuit of a political agenda at a maximum.”
Turner’s statement set off alarm, causing leaders like Johnson to rush to the cameras to make clear there was no immediate danger to the public and urged calm.
“I saw Chairman Turner’s statement on the issue and I want to assure the American people there’s no need for public alarm,” Johnson said.
“We are going to work together to address this matter, as we do all sensitive matters that are classified,” he continued. “And beyond that, I’m not at liberty to disclose classified information and really can’t say much, but we just want to assure everyone steady hands are at the wheel. We’re working on it and there’s no need for alarm.”
In his statement, Ogles noted that Turner’s position on the Intel committee is decided by Johnson.
“As the Chairman of the Select Committee on Intelligence is solely appointed by the Speaker and under your direct purview, should the Chairman retain his post, you have a duty and an obligation to reassure this body (Congress) and the American people that the processes of the Intelligence Committee have not been corrupted by the very institutions they are charged with monitoring,” Ogles wrote.
‘It is with great reticence that I formally request an inquiry as to any impact the Chairman’s statements may have had on U.S. foreign and domestic policy,” he said.
