Republican Congressman Warns of ‘Serious’ National Security Threat

Republican chair of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Mike Turner during a session in September 2021. (Reuters)
Republican chair of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Mike Turner during a session in September 2021. (Reuters)
TT
20

Republican Congressman Warns of ‘Serious’ National Security Threat

Republican chair of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Mike Turner during a session in September 2021. (Reuters)
Republican chair of the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee Mike Turner during a session in September 2021. (Reuters)

Representative Mike Turner, Republican chair of the US House of Representatives intelligence committee, has issued a statement warning of a "serious national security threat."

"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," Turner said Wednesday.

He said he was making information on the matter available in a secure location to all members of the House in accordance with chamber rules.

Two sources familiar with the matter and a US official told CNN the threat is related to Russia.

ABC News first reported that the intelligence related to a Russian space-based nuclear capability.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said he was “surprised” that Turner had made the existence of the intelligence public, noting that he was already scheduled to brief the top Republican and Democratic leaders of the House on Thursday.

“We scheduled a briefing for the House members of the Gang of Eight tomorrow,” Sullivan said. “That’s been on the books. So 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.”



After Putin Is a No-Show at Talks in Türkiye, Trump Says He’ll Meet the Russian Leader Soon 

US President Donald Trump speaks as he attends a business forum at Qasr Al Watan during the final stop of his Gulf visit, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 16, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump speaks as he attends a business forum at Qasr Al Watan during the final stop of his Gulf visit, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 16, 2025. (Reuters)
TT
20

After Putin Is a No-Show at Talks in Türkiye, Trump Says He’ll Meet the Russian Leader Soon 

US President Donald Trump speaks as he attends a business forum at Qasr Al Watan during the final stop of his Gulf visit, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 16, 2025. (Reuters)
US President Donald Trump speaks as he attends a business forum at Qasr Al Watan during the final stop of his Gulf visit, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 16, 2025. (Reuters)

President Donald Trump said Friday he's moving to set up direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as he can.

Trump's push for a face-to-face meeting comes after Putin opted to skip talks between Russia and Ukraine set for Friday in Türkiye.

“I think it’s time for us to just do it,” Trump told reporters as he wrapped a four-day visit to the Middle East.

He reiterated that he wasn’t surprised that Putin skipped out on the talks. Putin didn’t want to go because he’s not there, Trump said.

He added that he would hold a meeting with Putin “as soon as we can set it up.”

“I would actually leave here and go,” said Trump, who noted his daughter Tiffany just gave birth to her first child. “I do want to see my beautiful grandson.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to take part in the talks as Trump pressed for the leaders to find a solution. But Putin spurned the call to meet face-to-face with Zelenskyy.

Trump has pressed both sides to quickly come to a war-ending agreement. Zelenskyy has agreed to an American plan for an initial 30-day halt to hostilities, but Russia has not signed on and has continued to strike at targets inside Ukraine.

Still, Russia and Ukraine are to hold their first direct peace talks in three years Friday, gathering in Istanbul for negotiations. Officials and observers expect them to yield little immediate progress on stopping the more than 3-year war.

“He didn’t go, and I understand that,” Trump said. “We’re going to get it done. We got to get it done. Five thousand young people are being killed every single week on average, and we’re going to get it done.”

Trump on Thursday told reporters that a meeting between himself and Putin was crucial to breaking the deadlock.

“I don’t believe anything’s going to happen whether you like it or not, until he and I get together,” he said. “But we’re going to have to get it solved because too many people are dying.”