WASHINGTON – House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, was abruptly fired from his role by House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday, prompting concerns from some members about President-elect Donald Trump’s approach to intervening in Congressional affairs.
Turner told CBS News’ Margaret Brennan that Johnson cited “concerns from Mar-a-Lago” when he explained why Turner needed to step down, referencing Trump’s Florida estate.
“I’m very proud to have served on the House Intelligence Committee and as its chairman,” Turner said in a statement posted to X. “Under my leadership, we restored the integrity of the Committee and returned its mission to its core focus of national security. The threat from our adversaries is real and requires serious deliberations.”
The top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, told reporters that he had confidence Turner would have stood up to Trump if needed. Turner’s removal “sends a shiver down my spine,” he said.
But on Wednesday night, Johnson denied that the directive came from Mar-a-Lago and was just about getting “fresh horses” into the committee.
“This is not a President Trump decision, this is a House decision. This is no slight to our outgoing chairman, he’s done a great job,” he said. The committee “needs a fresh start and that’s what this is about. Nothing else.”
A spokesperson for the Trump transition did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Turner, now in his 12th term representing a Dayton-based district, had broken with Trump on several key issues: He is a vocal supporter of additional aid to Ukraine, said Trump’s storage of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago was of “grave concern,” and he was skeptical of Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick to serve as Director of National Intelligence.
Turner’s swift removal has stirred up anger from several House Republicans who said they are frustrated with Johnson’s handling of the situation. Johnson is reportedly expected to replace Turner with Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., who voted against aid to Ukraine last year.
Trump has long been suspicious of the United States spy agencies, arguing they tried to derail his campaigns for the presidency. Intelligence officials have long argued they serve a nonpartisan role in the U.S. government. Trump’s choice to lead the Central Intelligence Agency, John Ratcliffe, promised during his confirmation hearing that he would not politicize the agency.
