The chairman of the powerful House Intelligence Committee has issued a vague warning of a “serious national security threat” facing the US. Republican Mike Turner called on President Joe Biden to declassify the threat, but no further details were given. The White House has said the threat is not imminent, but that congressional leaders would be briefed this week.
Lawmakers have until Friday to review the intelligence about the threat. It is available in a secure facility within the US Capitol complex. The memo provided by the House Intelligence Committee notes that the “urgent matter” is “regard to a destabilizing foreign military capability.”
Some reports in US media suggest the warning may be related to Russian attempts to develop a space-based anti-satellite nuclear weapon. The New York Times, citing current and former US officials, said the weapon was not yet in orbit.
The top Democrat on the committee, Connecticut’s Jim Himes, said the classified threat is “significant”, but it “is not a cause for panic”. Similarly, House Speaker Mike Johnson said that there is “no need for public alarm”.
Senate Intelligence Chairman Mark Warner and Vice-Chairman Marco Rubio said in a statement that their committee has been “rigorously tracking this issue from the start” and “are discussing an appropriate response with the administration.” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan offered to personally brief the so-called “Gang of Eight”, comprised of House and Senate leaders from both parties and the top lawmakers on the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, but expressed surprise that Congressman Turner came out publicly in advance of the scheduled meeting.
The Biden administration is “protecting the national security of the United States and the American people”, adding that Americans understand that there are a range of threats and challenges in the world that they’re dealing with every single day.
The intelligence community will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the story develops. Stay tuned for further details as they become available.
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