House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday joined the chorus of Democrats bashing Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) over his decision to replace Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) at the top of the House Intelligence Committee.
Jeffries characterized the move as “shameful,” warning that it will only empower America’s leading 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 said in a brief statement.
“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 safety of the American people and the Free World and his unjustified ouster is likely being applauded by our adversaries in Russia and China.
“Shameful.”
Jeffries did not mention President-elect Trump, but his message reflects a broader theme of Democratic criticisms charging Johnson and other GOP leaders of bowing to Trump’s wishes — on both policy and personnel — in the weeks leading up to his return to the White House.
Turner is known as a foreign policy hawk who has voiced strong support for maintaining close ties with NATO allies and helping Ukraine weather Russia’s invasion — ideas that have made him a pariah in the eyes of some members of Trump’s “America First” inner circle.
Turner was also among the minority of House Republicans who voted to reject Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona and Pennsylvania, voting instead to certify President Biden’s victory in both states.
Johnson’s decision to replace Turner came as a surprise when it was reported on Wednesday, sending shock waves through the Capitol and sparking charges that Johnson is catering to Trump and House conservatives at the expense of steady governance and national security.
Johnson rejected those charges on Wednesday, saying Turner has done “a great job” at the top of the Intel Committee, but it’s time for a roster change to start the new Congress.
“It’s a new Congress,” Johnson told reporters. “We just need fresh horses in some of these places.”
