Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) sent a letter to congressional colleagues explaining that the threat is related to a “destabilizing foreign military capability.”
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio) on Wednesday issued a cryptic warning of a “serious national security threat” against the United States.
“Today, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has made available to all Members of Congress information concerning a serious national security threat,” Turner said in a statement.
Statement from Chairman @RepMikeTurner: pic.twitter.com/OA9yJuEPlf
— House Intelligence Committee (@HouseIntel) February 14, 2024
“I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information relating to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat.”
Turner also sent a letter to congressional colleagues explaining that the matter is related to a “destabilizing foreign military capability” that could originate with Russia.
From CNN:
Multiple sources familiar with the intelligence characterized the intelligence as “very sensitive.”
Earlier Wednesday, Turner sent his Congressional colleagues a letter saying the urgent matter is “with regard to a destabilizing foreign military capability.”
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.”
Turner said in the dear colleagues letter that the House Intelligence Committee voted on February 13 to make certain information available for lawmakers to review and says members have time to view this between Wednesday and Friday.
A source for NBC News corroborated Turner’s vague explanation, claiming that his warning is related to a “potential foreign threat.”
Democratic source familiar w/threat tells @NBCNews: “This is a serious issue that could lead to a destabilizing situation and a national security threat.”
Described it as a “potential foreign threat” but would not say where the threat is coming from. https://t.co/CcMEdhcstT
— Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) February 14, 2024
When asked during a White House press briefing if the American people should be “alarmed” by Turner’s warning, Biden National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan replied that the “question is impossible to answer with a straight yes.”
“Americans understand there are a range of threats and challenges in the world that we’re dealing with every single day, and those threats range from terrorism to state actors,” Sullivan said.
Reporter: “Can you tell Americans that there’s nothing they have to worry about right now in terms of what [House Intel Chair Turner] describes as a ‘national security threat?’”
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan: “That question is impossible to answer with a straight… pic.twitter.com/TG4Sbhs6TE
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 14, 2024
“I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time,” he added.
Watch the full WH press conference:
This is a developing story — check back for updates
