GOP congressman accuses House Intel Chair Turner of 'breach of trust' over cryptic threat statement

A Republican congressman blasted House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, one of his GOP colleagues, for a public statement he made on Wednesday related to an undisclosed national security treat.

Turner had requested that President Biden declassify intelligence related to a “serious national security threat" so that Congress, the administration and U.S. allies "can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat.” 

Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., on Thursday argued that Turner's statement constituted a "breach of trust," describing it as "reckless." Ogles alleged that Turner's released the threat statement in connection with the debate in Congress over Ukraine war funding and reauthorization of the controversial Federal Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

“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, and the well-being and psyche of the American people,” Ogles wrote to House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

“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.) This act constituted poor judgment at a minimum and a complete breach of trust influenced by the pursuit of a political agenda at the maximum," he also wrote. 

The threat that Turner was referring to is reportedly related to a Russian military capability.