TEXT JOIN TO 77022

Speaker Mike Johnson Removes Top Republican from Committee Chairmanship

A top Republican was removed from his committee chairmanship by Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.), in a move that has been celebrated by the pro-Trump wing of the party.

As reported by The Hill, Congressman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) was set to be the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee for the 119th Congress prior to the sudden decision by Johnson to remove him. He had previously served as chairman in the 118th Congress after the 2022 elections, having been selected by disgraced former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.).

“It’s a new Congress, we just need fresh horses in some of these places, but I’m a Mike Turner fan, he’s done a great job, he’s performed valiantly in a difficult time under difficult circumstances,” said Johnson in a statement following the ouster. “So I have nothing but positive things to say about my friend and colleague.”

Despite the polite tone of Johnson’s statement, anonymous members of Congress said that the decision was made primarily because of Johnson’s more moderate stances in the past. Among other things, Turner had voted against the measure to censure then-Congressman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) over his lies about the “Russian collusion” hoax against President Donald Trump.

“What I know is that Mar-a-Lago vetoed Turner,” one anonymous lawmaker told The Hill. “They vetoed him, and Johnson couldn’t resist doing it, and so he got sandbagged because Trump wanted that to happen.”

However, James Blair, the incoming White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative, Political, and Public Affairs, issued a statement declaring that any supposed conflict between President-elect Trump and Congressman Turner was “false information.”

As a result of his removal as chairman, Turner will not even have a seat on the committee at all. His replacement has not yet been announced.

Get the news corporate media won't tell you.

Get caught up on today's must read stores!

By submitting your information, you agree to receive exclusive AG+ content, including special promotions, and agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms. By providing your phone number and checking the box to opt in, you are consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from my short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

About Eric Lendrum

Eric Lendrum graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he was the Secretary of the College Republicans and the founding chairman of the school’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter. He has interned for Young America’s Foundation, the Heritage Foundation, and the White House, and has worked for numerous campaigns including the 2018 re-election of Congressman Devin Nunes (CA-22). He is currently a co-host of The Right Take podcast.

Photo: WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 25: Newly elected Speaker of the House Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) speaks with Speaker pro tempore Patrick McHenry (R) (R-NC) in the House chamber after his election at the U.S. Capitol on October 25, 2023 in Washington, DC. After a contentious nominating period that has seen four candidates over a three-week period, Johnson was voted in to succeed former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), who was ousted on October 4 in a move led by a small group of conservative members of his own party (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Start the discussion at community.amgreatness.com