Home Republicans are disapproving of Home Speaker Mike Johnson’s resolution to take away Rep. Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio, from his place as chairman of the Home Intelligence Committee.
Many imagine this transfer was motivated by Donald Trump’s eagerness to put in a MAGA loyalist within the place, because the president-elect has lengthy sought to fill congressional seats with these keen to kiss the ring. Although Johnson denied exterior strain, Turner believes in any other case.
In a telephone interview with CBS reporter and “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan, Turner stated that Johnson advised him, “You’re fired. There are concerns from Mar-a-Lago.”
Johnson denied this declare.
“This is not a President Trump decision. This is a House decision, and this is no slight whatsoever to our outgoing chairman. He did a great job,” Johnson stated on Wednesday.
Now, Republicans are voicing their considerations about Johnson bending the knee to Trump.
“We all have questions and concerns … This came out of nowhere,” Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Republican of Texas, stated.
Crenshaw’s feedback mirror the uncertainty and frustration that Republicans really feel in regards to the strain to both fall in step with Trump or threat being demoted.
“I’m not happy with the decision. I think the vast majority of us are not happy with the decision,” an nameless Home Republican advised Axios.
Different Republicans, like Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska, are involved that Johnson’s resolution can be dangerous to the celebration’s unity.
“It divides the conference, and I don’t think that’s good,” he stated, including that “most of us agree” with Turner on points like Ukraine.
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Rep. mike Turner says “it’s absolutely true” that Russian propaganda has “infected” the GOP:
“To the extent that this propaganda takes hold, it makes it more difficult for us to really see this as an authoritarian vs democracy battle,which is what it is”pic.twitter.com/bCd8CTMkmB
— Republicans in opposition to Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) January 16, 2025
Turner has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its battle in opposition to Russia, usually pushing again in opposition to GOP colleagues who unfold Russian propaganda. His sturdy advocacy for continued U.S. assist of Ukraine has earned him reward from reasonable Republicans, but it surely has additionally made him a goal amongst what’s now an empowered MAGA faction in Congress.
Donald Trump talking with Vladimir Putin.
Whereas it’s nonetheless unclear how his second administration will cozy as much as Vladimir Putin, Trump has urged that he plans to talk with the Russian strongman shortly after his inauguration.
Throughout his first time period, Trump had an in depth relationship with Putin, and he even despatched him COVID-19 checks in 2020 whereas U.S. residents reeled from the virus. And since leaving workplace, Trump has had quite a few personal telephone calls with him.
Trump’s long-standing bromance with Putin—together with reportedly idolizing dictators—has sparked accusations that Trump is sympathetic to autocrats and even maybe has a need to turn into one himself.
However at the same time as U.S. nationwide safety hangs within the stability, it appears Trump’s adoration of authoritarian regimes remains to be not sufficient to interrupt the GOP’s obedience to Expensive Chief.
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