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Mysterious 'national security threat' involves 'Russia' and 'space': reports
Sarah K. Burris
February 14, 2024 2:53PM ET
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Mysterious 'national security threat' involves 'Russia' and 'space': reports
Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) speaks to reporters. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

House Intelligence Committee chair Rep. Mike Turner (R- OH) released a statement on Wednesday flipping over what he says is intelligence of a "serious national security threat" that he claimed the White House is keeping secret.

It prompted National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan to take to the White House podium to say that he personally called Turner and the rest of the so-called "Gang of Eight" earlier this week to schedule an intelligence briefing to address exactly that threat, so he's unclear why Turner would be sounding the alarm.

The "Gang of Eight" are the top House and Senate leaders who have clearance to view highly classified intelligence information.

"I am a bit surprised that Congressman Turner came out publicly today" to announce a potential national security threat he is going to be briefed about tomorrow, said Sullivan. "That's his choice to do that."

NBC News reporter Peter Alexander asked Sullivan about Turner's statement: "Can you tell Americans that there's nothing they have to worry about right now in terms of what he describes as a national security threat?"

"That question is impossible to answer with a straight yes," Sullivan explained.

"All I can tell you is that I'm focused on going to see him, sit with him as well as the other House members of the 'Gang of Eight' tomorrow. And I'm not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time," Sullivan said.

"Let me say this, in 12 years of Congress I’ve never seen a statement like Mike Turner put out, and I’ve never known Mike to be dramatic or using these serious issues for anything but serious reasons," said former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-I.L.). "If he’s concerned, I’m concerned."

CNN reported that sources revealed the matter has to do with Russia.

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"One of the sources who has seen the intelligence confirmed that 'it is, in fact, a highly concerning and destabilizing' Russian capability 'that we were recently made aware of.'"

Fox News White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich said that top Pentagon officials further said it is to do with "space."

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Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Speaker Mike Johnson encouraged the public not to panic based on Turner's comments.

"We are going to work together to address this matter, as we do all sensitive matters that are classified. … But we just want to assure everyone steady hands are at the wheel. We're working on it — and there's no need for alarm," he said, according to CNN's Manu Raju.

Punchbowl News reporter Andrew Desiderio said that he was told the intelligence information is now available to all senators.

MAGA fans have already started claiming it's a conspiracy to get the Ukraine funding bill passed in the House after the Senate approved the bill by 70 votes.