OHIO: Speaker Mike Johnson made waves on Wednesday by Ohio Republican Rep. Michael R. Turner of Ohio from his position as chair of the House Intelligence Committee. The move, which repositions the key national security panel, is being interpreted as an effort to align more closely with President-elect Donald Trump’s preferences.
Turner, visibly upset after meeting with Johnson, reportedly shared that the decision stemmed from a request originating at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Trump has often expressed skepticism toward the intelligence community, accusing it of harboring elements of a "deep state" with a political agenda against him. Johnson’s removal of Turner, perceived as insufficiently loyal to Trump, signals a potential shift toward granting the incoming president tighter influence over intelligence oversight.

Turner's Stance and History
Turner, a seasoned legislator from southwestern Ohio with over 20 years in Congress, has occasionally taken stances at odds with Trump. He notably voted to certify Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential victory on January 6, 2021, breaking from the majority of his party. Turner has also been a vocal supporter of aiding Ukraine in its fight against Russia, a stance that diverges from Trump’s "America First" approach and the views of many in the GOP.

Johnson, however, denied that Trump played a role in the decision. "This is not a Donald Trump decision, but a House decision," Johnson said on Wednesday evening. He emphasized that the committee needed "a fresh start," dismissing any claims of ulterior motives.

Turner’s removal also ends his membership on the Intelligence Committee due to term limits for rank-and-file members. Having joined the committee a decade ago, Turner assumed its leadership in 2023 after Republicans gained the House majority.

Upcoming Changes and Implications
Johnson’s decision paves the way for significant changes to the Intelligence Committee. Several members, including Reps. Elise Stefanik of New York and Michael Waltz of Florida, are expected to leave Congress to join the Trump administration, creating further vacancies.

The speaker has a history of appointing Trump loyalists to the committee. Last year, Johnson surprised Turner by adding Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, Trump’s former physician, and Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, a staunch Trump ally.

Turner’s removal could have broader implications for the committee's operations. Turner was known for fostering bipartisanship on the panel, a quality praised by Democrats. He had openly criticized Trump’s controversial phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2019 and raised concerns over Trump’s storage of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago.

Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the Intelligence Committee, expressed concern over the development. "The removal of Chairman Turner makes our nation less secure and is a terrible omen for what’s ahead," Himes said in a statement. "Congress is meant to act as a check on the executive branch, not cater to its every demand."

With Mike Johnson poised to reshape the committee, questions linger about its future direction and independence, particularly under a Trump presidency.