House Speaker Mike Johnson has appointed Rep. Rick Crawford, R-Ark., as the new chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Johnson stated that the panel needed a fresh start and emphasized Crawford's years of faithful service and steady approach to challenges facing the country.
The announcement came after Rep. Mike Turner of Ohio was removed from the post by Johnson. Turner, who had been at odds with President-elect Donald Trump on certain issues, including supporting efforts to aid Ukraine against Russia's military, faced criticism for his removal.
Democratic lawmakers expressed concerns about the impact of Turner's removal on the panel's independence in overseeing intelligence matters. Turner was described as a highly-principled leader who vigorously promoted the safety of the American people and the Free World.
Rep. Crawford, who joined the committee in 2017, highlighted the need to address abuse within the nation's security apparatus, which he believes has eroded trust and compromised America's ability to gather intelligence. He pledged to provide credible and robust oversight of the Intelligence Community's funding and activities as chairman.
Crawford emphasized the importance of upholding Americans' Fourth Amendment rights and preventing mission creep within the Intelligence Community. He expressed his commitment to ensuring that the IC operates within the boundaries of U.S. laws and safeguards the privacy and rights of citizens.
