Republican Rep. Andy Ogles on Thursday demanded an investigation into his fellow Republican, Intel Chairman Mike Turner, claiming he was “reckless” in issuing an alert about a mysterious national security threat.
The Tennessee Republican alleged that Turner issued the statement that raised alarm across Washington as a means to push for more funding for Ukraine and the reauthorization of warrantless spying through FISA.
“This disclosure by the Chairman was made with reckless disregard for the implications and consequences this information would have on geopolitics, domestic and foreign markets, or the well-being and psyche of the American people,” Ogles wrote.
“It has become clear that the intent was not to ensure the security of our homeland and the American people, but rather to ensure additional funding for Ukraine and the passage of an unreformed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).”
But Ogles confirmed that he did not review the classified material in the House SCIF.
Republican Rep. Andy Ogles on Thursday demanded an investigation into his fellow Republican, Intel Chairman Mike Turner, claiming he was “reckless” in issuing an alert about a mysterious threat to national security
He told reporters he “chose not to look at the classified information” so he can “discuss the classified information.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t know what’s in there,” Ogles added.
The Intel chairman said in his statement Wednesday: “Today, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence made available to all members of Congress information regarding a serious threat to national security.”
“I urge President Biden to release all information related to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions needed to respond to this threat.”
Reports later emerged that it was linked to Moscow’s plan to deploy a nuclear weapon in space to target and destroy satellites the world depends on for communications.
Ogles’ letter requested an investigation into whether Turner’s letter had an impact on foreign or domestic policy.
“This act constituted, at the least, poor judgment and, at most, a complete breach of trust influenced by the pursuit of a political agenda,” he wrote.
Ogles then suggested that the Intel Committee could be “corrupted” by the US intelligence agencies they are tasked with monitoring.
Moscow has already shown how it can be deadly from space by testing a hit-to-kill anti-satellite missile in 2021.
Russia smashed a defunct spy satellite launched in 1982 into 1,500 pieces of rubble in the attack, sparking outrage around the world.
In 2020, Moscow fired an anti-satellite weapon from its Cosmos 2543 satellite while in orbit.
Vladimir Putin has also threatened the West with his deadliest hypersonic missile yet, which could race into space and hit multiple targets on the ground.
The nuclear-capable Avangard missile, which can reportedly hit targets at 27 times the speed of sound, is seen in new footage installed in an underground launch silo in Russia’s Orenburg region.
According to Moscow, the rocket, traveling at 20,000 miles per hour and using a hypersonic glide vehicle, will be able to leave the Earth’s atmosphere in less than 30 minutes before hitting any target in the world.
Members of Congress or US allies should not openly discuss or collaborate on the threat until the report is released.
It comes as the right wing of the House Republican Conference is at war with Intel Committee members and their like-minded colleagues over the reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
The Tennessee Republican alleged that Turner issued the statement above that sparked alarm across Washington as a means to push for more funding for Ukraine and the reauthorization of unauthorized spying through FISA.
Russian Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile launch on April 20, 2022
FISA is intended for intelligence officials to monitor the communications of foreigners they believe could pose a threat to U.S. security. But thousands of Americans are caught up in surveillance every year.
The right-wing House Freedom Caucus wants FISA to have an amendment that would require a warrant to spy on American citizens believed to be involved or communicating with people who pose a threat. Intel-conscious Republicans believe requiring a warrant would slow the process and threaten national security.
It also comes as funding for Ukraine has come to a standstill. The Senate this week passed a financing bill for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and Gaza, which Johnson has said he will not bring to the floor without border security measures.
Moderates on both sides are now drafting proposals for a new foreign aid package. Some ideas are to cut humanitarian provisions and focus on military aid, and to institute a resurrection of the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy.