House Intel Chair Turner Removed As Johnson Bows To Trump
In a stunning move, House Speaker Paul Ryan has removed Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, bowing to pressure from President Donald Trump. The move comes after Turner criticized Trump's handling of the Russia investigation and his decision to fire FBI Director James Comey.
Trump has long been critical of Turner, calling him a "lightweight" and a "loser." He has also accused Turner of being a "Democratic plant" and of leaking classified information to the media.
Turner's removal is a major victory for Trump, who has been eager to silence his critics within the Republican Party. It is also a sign of the president's growing power over the GOP, which has been increasingly reluctant to challenge him.
The Turner-Trump Feud
The feud between Turner and Trump dates back to the early days of the Trump administration. In January 2017, Turner was one of the first Republican lawmakers to criticize Trump's travel ban on citizens from several Muslim-majority countries. He also criticized Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.
Turner's criticism of Trump continued throughout 2017. He was one of the few Republican lawmakers to call for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. He also criticized Trump's decision to fire Comey.
Trump's attacks on Turner began in earnest in early 2018. In January, Trump called Turner a "lightweight" and a "loser." He also accused Turner of being a "Democratic plant" and of leaking classified information to the media.
Turner has denied Trump's accusations. He has also said that he will not be intimidated by the president.
The Removal of Turner
On May 2, 2018, Speaker Ryan announced that he was removing Turner as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Ryan said that he made the decision after consulting with other members of the committee.
Turner's removal was widely seen as a victory for Trump. It is also a sign of the president's growing power over the GOP, which has been increasingly reluctant to challenge him.
The Implications of Turner's Removal
Turner's removal has several implications for the Republican Party and for the country as a whole.
First, it shows that Trump is increasingly able to silence his critics within the Republican Party. This is a dangerous trend, as it could lead to a one-party state in which dissent is not tolerated.
Second, Turner's removal could make it more difficult for Congress to investigate Trump and his administration. This is because Turner was one of the few Republican lawmakers who was willing to stand up to the president.
Third, Turner's removal could have a negative impact on the Republican Party's reputation. The party is already seen as being too close to Trump, and Turner's removal will only reinforce that perception.
Conclusion
The removal of Rep. Mike Turner as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee is a major victory for President Trump. It is also a sign of the president's growing power over the GOP and a dangerous trend for the country as a whole.
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