House Speaker Mike Johnson has announced that GOP Rep. Rick Crawford will be the new chair of the House Intelligence Committee, replacing Rep. Mike Turner who was removed from the position. Crawford, a longstanding member of the committee, is the most senior member after Turner.
One notable difference between Crawford and Turner is their stance on aid for Ukraine. Crawford voted against additional aid for Ukraine last April, a position that contrasts with Turner's strong advocacy for such assistance.
In a statement released by Johnson's office, it was mentioned that Crawford is expected to bring principled leadership to the committee. Johnson praised Crawford's years of service on the committee and his steady approach to addressing the country's challenges.
Johnson clarified that President-elect Donald Trump was not involved in the decision to replace Turner. He emphasized that the choice to appoint Crawford was his own and not a reflection of Turner's performance. Johnson commended Turner for his excellent work under challenging circumstances but expressed the need for new leadership in light of the current environment.
