The House Investigative Committee brought together elected Democrats and Republicans who refused to succumb to their experience, seriousness, and partisanship. This approach made sense because the members of this commission receive the most valuable secrets of the US intelligence services and deal with questions affecting the national security of the United States. This was before Donald Trump came to Washington. The latest example of the ex-president’s toxic influence has angered not only Democrats on the panel, but Republicans as well.
A brief flashback. Earlier this month, House Speaker Mike Johnson, one of Trump’s most bitter allies, represented Pennsylvania. Scott named Perry and his Texas counterpart Ronnie Jackson to the team. The former has been implicated in Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election and refused to obey a subpoena to testify before a commission investigating the attack on the Capitol. The other was fired by the Navy in July 2022, following a damaging report by the Pentagon’s inspector general that confirmed sexual harassment allegations related to inappropriate behavior as a White House physician. He spends three-quarters of his time on social media either praising Trump or attacking Democrats, including Joe Biden, spreading misinformation.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and other Republicans have demanded an explanation from Johnson about the promotions. The Washington Post. Johnson responded by saying that he moved up the delegation in part because Trump asked him to. To comment on a high-ranking Republican Mail Speaking on condition of anonymity: “Johnson has put a face on this commission and re-politicized it. He has reversed any progress that could harm America’s security. This is not a place to play games. This is not a place to appease anyone. This is where the real work needs to be done.”
Representative Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio, chairman of the Intelligence Committee, learned of Johnson’s decision regarding Perry and Jackson from the media. Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat who is a member of the committee, wrote to Johnson asking him to rescind the promotions of two Republican representatives.
“There are hundreds of duly elected, honest members of Congress, on both sides of the aisle, who understand the seriousness of their oversight responsibilities.” She wrote.
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(AP Photo)
