House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) was reportedly surprised by Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) decision to appoint Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Ronny Jackson (R-TX) to the Intel Committee without prior notification. This comes as the committee attempts to rebuild its reputation in the wake of the previous administration, leading some members to believe that these recent appointments betray a lack of understanding or respect for their efforts.
Rep. Scott Perry was one of the key figures involved in former President Trump’s campaign to overturn the 2020 election results. The FBI, which Perry will now help oversee as part of his new committee role, had seized his phone in connection with its investigation into the January 6 insurrection. Jackson, meanwhile, faced a series of allegations regarding his time working under Trump as nominee for Veterans Affairs secretary, leading to a scathing Pentagon inspector general report that resurfaced many of those accusations.
Despite the controversy surrounding their appointments, Reps. Perry and Jackson have expressed their commitment to restoring the public’s faith in the intelligence community. Turner has also faced criticism for his own actions, such as sounding the alarm on an alleged threat from Russia, which was later mocked by conservatives for being politically driven. The recent appointments of these two conservatives may lead to calls for reform and more rigorous oversight of the intelligence community.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) reportedly found out about Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) decision to appoint Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA) and Ronny Jackson (R-TX) to the Intel Committee through press reports, feeling “blindsided” by the speaker’s decision.
Punchbowl News reported that Intel lawmakers have tried to rebuild the committee’s reputation after the Trump presidency, and they believe that Johnson’s selection of Jackson and Perry demonstrates a lack of understanding or respect for their work.
According to Punchbowl News.
Perry, of course, was one of the key figures in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The FBI, which Perry will help oversee now, confiscated the Pennsylvania Republican’s phone as part of the probe into the Jan. 6 insurrection. That case is still being fought out in court.
Jackson, of course, has his own colorful history. Trump nominated Jackson to be Veterans Affairs secretary. Jackson withdrew after a slew of stories accusing him of drinking on the job and inappropriately treating employees came out. Jackson denied all allegations, but a scathing Pentagon inspector general report resurfaced many of the accusations.
However, Turner, in February, enflamed controversy himself for sounding the alarm on an alleged threat from Russia in what was later mocked by conservatives for being a politically driven scheme to pass more aid to Ukraine.
Perry and Jackson’s appointment gives conservatives more opportunity to call for reform and conduct more rigorous oversight of the intelligence community.
Perry said in a written statement on Wednesday.
My great thanks to Speaker Johnson for selecting me to sit on the House Intelligence Committee. I’m humbled by his confidence in me, my service to our Nation, and my experience in this arena. I look forward to providing not only a fresh perspective, but conducting actual oversight – not blind obedience to some facets of our Intel Community that all too often abuse their powers, resources, and authority to spy on the American People.
I believe we will be able to restore the American people’s complete faith in our intelligence community,” Jackson said in a statement on Wednesday.
Related: Jim Jordan: There Are 204k Reasons to Oppose FISA Reauthorization.
House Committee on the Judiciary / YouTube.
The two conservatives, in April, voted for an amendment that Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) proposed to require a warrant for Section 702, a controversial surveillance law that is meant to target foreign adversaries but often surveils American citizens without a warrant.
Sean Moran is a policy reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter @SeanMoran3.