A key House Republican appears to be on a voting strike after being forced out of a powerful chairmanship, ostensibly at President-elect Donald Trump's insistence.
“Arkansas Republican Rick Crawford, the new chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, charged with overseeing the nation’s spy programs. House Speaker Mike Johnson ignited a firestorm unceremoniously stripping the intelligence gavel from Mike Turner,” Fox News reporter Chad Pergram said.
He added that allies of Turner "fumed privately," with one saying Johnson treated Turner "so badly that he’s, 'never going to vote for another blanking thing around here again.'"
“Mike’s never going to vote for another f---ing thing around here again,” a House Republican told Pergram. “He’s mad.”
The Republicans Against Trump account posted a clip of Pergram's report on X Friday, noting: "Turner has missed all House votes in the last 48 hours."
Turner, an Ohio Republican who is one of the House GOP's staunchest critics of Vladimir Putin and supporters of Ukraine, was forced out of the role by Johnson reportedly because of concerns from the incoming president. He was replaced by Arkansas Rep. Rick Crawford.
This removal caused uproar, with the conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board scorching Johnson for his capitulation to Trump's whims.
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"Mr. Turner has been one of Mr. Johnson’s main supporters in the GOP conference, so the Speaker is sending the wrong message about the rewards of loyalty. It’s one thing for the Speaker to let Mr. Trump dictate to him on policy. But control over House leadership should be the Speaker’s prerogative," said the board, "His ouster of Mr. Turner is a sign of weakness."
If Turner continues to be absent from votes, it could lead to yet more headaches for Johnson and House GOP leadership, who are dealing with one of the smallest House majorities in modern history and already have to fill multiple vacancies left by Trump nominating members to positions in his administration. Republicans can afford to lose very few votes as they pursue a number of agenda items unlikely to attract Democratic votes, including major changes to the tax code.
