(NewsNation) — President Joe Biden’s national security advisor will meet with a group of high-ranking lawmakers known as the “Gang of Eight” Thursday to discuss sensitive intelligence that reportedly has to do with Russian weapon capabilities in space.
The briefing comes after House Intelligence Committee chair Mike Turner, R-Ohio, called on the Biden administration to declassify information about what he called a “serious national security threat” on Wednesday.
Turner’s warning came with no details but is reportedly related to information about a space-deployed Russian anti-satellite weapon. A Congressional aide told the Associated Press it’s unclear if the weapon has nuclear capability, but said that is the fear.
On Thursday, GOP Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., accused Turner of acting with “reckless disregard” and called for a formal inquiry “as to any impact the Chairman’s statements may have had on U.S. foreign and domestic policy.”
“It has become clear that the intent was not to ensure the safety of our homeland and the American people, but rather to ensure additional funding for Ukraine and passage of an unreformed Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA),” Ogles said in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Johnson told reporters Wednesday that “there is no need for public alarm” regarding the classified info.
Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, said the classified information is “significant” but “not a cause for panic.”
Lawmakers who have reviewed the information in a SCIF — a secure area to review the intelligence — echoed that sentiment.
“The White House needs to take this seriously, as long as they do that I think we’ll be just fine,” Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., told NewsNation.
Rep. Lou Correa, D-Calif., said he hopes Speaker Johnson works with Democrats to ensure “national security is not politics.”
Neither lawmaker was able to discuss what they read due to the sensitive nature of the material.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Wednesday he was surprised Turner came out publicly, given he had already set up a meeting with the Gang of Eight to discuss the intelligence. Sullivan said he personally reached out to the high-ranking lawmakers which he called “highly unusual.”
Sullivan did not share details on the nature of the threat.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
