Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday joined the refrain of Democrats bashing Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) over his choice to switch Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) on the prime of the Home Intelligence Committee.
Jeffries characterised the transfer as “shameful,” warning it’s going to solely empower America’s main adversaries.
“Mike Turner is a serious, thoughtful and highly-principled leader, whose work as Chair of the House Intelligence Committee has been extremely impactful,” Jeffries mentioned in a short assertion.
“Throughout his time in the House of Representatives, Chairman Turner has upheld his oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies and championed our national security interests,” he continued. “Mike Turner has robustly promoted the protection of the American folks and the Free World and his unjustified ouster is probably going being applauded by our adversaries in Russia and China.
“Shameful.”
Jeffries didn’t point out President-elect Trump, however his message displays a broader theme of Democratic criticisms charging Johnson and different GOP leaders of bowing to Trump’s needs — on each coverage and personnel — within the weeks main as much as his return to the White Home.
Turner is called a overseas coverage hawk who has voiced sturdy assist for sustaining shut ties with NATO allies and serving to Ukraine climate Russia’s invasion — concepts which have made him a pariah within the eyes of some members of Trump’s “America First” internal circle.
Turner was additionally among the many minority of Home Republicans who voted to reject Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election ends in Arizona and Pennsylvania, voting as an alternative to certify President Biden’s victory in each states.
Johnson’s choice to switch Turner got here as a shock when it was reported Wednesday, sending shock waves by way of the Capitol and sparking fees that Johnson is catering to Trump and Home conservatives on the expense of regular governance and nationwide safety.
Johnson rejected these fees Wednesday, saying Turner has finished “a great job” on the prime of the Intel Committee, nevertheless it’s time for a roster change to begin the brand new Congress.
“It’s a new Congress,” Johnson instructed reporters. “We just need fresh horses in some of these places.”
