The chair of the House Intelligence Committee issued on Wednesday a cryptic warning of a “serious national security threat” that might require help from “our allies” to deal with it.
Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) cited unspecified “information” about the mysterious threat that he said “all members of Congress” had already been briefed on. He called on President Biden to declassify the information.
“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,” he told House members Wednesday.
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Capitol Hill sources told ABC News the threat was regarding Russia wanting to put nuclear weapons in space to use against satellites.
An unnamed Democratic source was quoted telling NBC News: “This is a serious issue that could lead to a destabilizing situation and a national security threat.” Apart from describing it as a “potential foreign threat,” however, the source provided no further details. CNN, meanwhile, cited unnamed sources who said the threat is related to Russia and is “highly concerning and destabilizing.”
In a statement, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said there is “no need for public alarm,” adding that he will press Biden’s administration to take “appropriate action.”
“Steady hands are at the wheel, we’re working on it, there’s no need for alarm,” he cautioned.
In a White House press briefing, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged the threat, but said he can’t reveal anything about it. He said he was surprised Turner went public with the information just a day before he was slated to meet with the congressman in a classified briefing, which is still scheduled.
“That’s his choice to do that,” Sullivan said of Turner. “All I can tell you is that I’m focused on going to see him sit with him as well as the other House members of the Gang of Eight tomorrow. And I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time.”
Sullivan was later asked if he could tell Americans there’s nothing they have to worry about regarding the threat. He responded, “That question is impossible to answer with a straight yes.”
Democratic Rep. Jim Himes (CT) was quoted telling reporters “people should not panic” about the threat, suggesting it might not be as urgent as it was made out to be. He said, “It’s something that the Congress and the administration does need to address in the medium to long run,” The Hill’s Mychael Schnell reported on X.
