Biden Urged to Declassify Serious National Security Threat Info

Clear Facts

• House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner urges President Biden to declassify information on a “serious national security threat.”
• Turner’s statement follows the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence making information available to all Members of Congress.
• White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is scheduled to give a personal briefing to the Gang of Eight on the matter.

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner is urging President Biden to declassify information related to a “serious national security threat.” In a statement released on Wednesday, Turner, R-Ohio, said, “Today, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has made available to all Members of Congress information concerning a serious national security threat.”

Turner continued, “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.” Fox News Digital obtained the notice sent to congressional members on Wednesday, which pointed to “an urgent matter with regard to a destabilizing foreign military capability that should be known by all Congressional Policy Makers.”

Turner’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment and more information. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said at the White House press briefing on Wednesday that earlier in the week, he reached out to the Gang of Eight to offer himself for a personal briefing on the matter. That briefing will take place on Thursday.

Sullivan expressed surprise at Turner’s public statement, saying, “I am a bit surprised that Congressman Turner came out publicly today in advance of a meeting on the books for me to go sit with him alongside our intelligence and defense professionals tomorrow. That’s his choice to do that.” Sullivan emphasized that the administration has gone further in declassifying intelligence in the national interest of the United States than any previous administration.

Sullivan added, “You definitely are not going to find an unwillingness to do that when it’s in our national security interest to do so.” However, he also mentioned that the administration has prioritized “the issue of sources and methods.” Sullivan said, “Ultimately, these are decisions for the president to make, but in the meantime, the most important thing is we have the opportunity to sit in a classified setting and have the kind of conversation with the House Intelligence leadership that I, in fact, had scheduled before Congressman Turner went out today.”

Sullivan reiterated that he “personally reached out” to Congress on the matter, stating, “It is highly unusual, in fact, for the national security adviser to do that.” This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as they become available.

Clear Thoughts (op-ed)

House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner’s call for President Biden to declassify information on a “serious national security threat” should be taken seriously. With the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence making this information available to all Members of Congress, it’s clear that this threat is significant.

Turner’s request for transparency is essential for Congress, the Administration, and our allies to openly discuss the necessary actions to respond to this threat. While White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has expressed surprise at Turner’s public statement, it is important to remember that the safety of our nation is at stake.

Sullivan claims that the administration has gone further in declassifying intelligence in the national interest of the United States than any previous administration. If this is true, then the administration should have no problem declassifying this particular threat. What is more important than ensuring that our lawmakers and the public are informed about potential dangers to our nation?

As this story develops, let us hope that the Biden administration takes Turner’s request seriously and prioritizes the safety and security of the American people.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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