The following is a transcript of an interview with House Intelligence Committee chair Rep. Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio, that aired on Nov. 19, 2023.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We go now to the Republican Chair of the House Intelligence Committee Mike Turner. Good to have you back with us, sir.
REP. MIKE TURNER: Thank you, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You've said that that absolutely brutal and horrific attack on October 7, by Hamas was a huge intelligence failure. Things were missed. And then there were operational failures, as we know, once that attack was underway. Given those massive blind spots, can the U.S. actually be confident in Israeli intelligence now when it says that what it's doing is with full accuracy?
A reporter asked Representative Turner if he believes it is possible to successfully eliminate Hamas through military means. In response, Turner stated that when dealing with a terrorist group like Hamas, it is not enough to focus solely on the individuals involved. It is important to consider the group's structure, finances, weapons systems, and command and control. Israel has the capability to target these aspects of Hamas and significantly weaken their ability to carry out attacks. This would also provide an opportunity for the Palestinians in Gaza to transition to a different form of government. Turner emphasized that the people in Gaza are victims of Hamas just as much as Israel is.
FBI Director Expresses Concern Over Increased Terrorist Threats to the US
By Anonymous
In a recent testimony before the Intelligence Committee, the FBI director made a rare public statement about the specific calls from foreign terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda, to attack the United States. This indicates the seriousness of the threats and the concern they are causing within the agency.
The director highlighted two key factors contributing to the heightened threat level. Firstly, he mentioned the chaotic withdrawal of Afghanistan, which resulted in the loss of valuable intelligence gathering capabilities. Secondly, he pointed out the issue of individuals allied with international terrorist organizations crossing the southern border. Both of these factors are attributed to policies implemented by the Biden administration.
These statements by the FBI director underscore the importance of addressing these threats and implementing effective counterterrorism measures. The increase in terrorist threats within the United States is said to be at its highest level in over a decade, making it crucial for the government to take swift action to ensure the safety and security of the American people.
Border Policy Overhaul and Section 702 Reauthorization
MARGARET BRENNAN: Okay. So what would it take to get you on board with supporting some sort of overhaul of border policy? I know that in the Senate, they're talking about trying to bundle together some of these initiatives?
REP. TURNER: Well, I think they- I think they should be bundled together. And I've been at the White House several times talking about, you know, what we call sort of the quad national security package where they're looking at Ukraine, Taiwan, East Asia, but border. Border has to be a part of it and not just funding for the border, it needs to be policy changes. Our border needs to be secure. The FBI director has specifically cited that individuals come across that border allied with international terrorist organizations are a threat internal to the United States.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So, Congress went home for the next few weeks. And you got a lot of work to do before the end of the year. One of those things, potentially, is reauthorizing section 702, which allows agencies to gather data like phone calls and text messages from foreign nationals abroad. Some of your Republican colleagues like Jim Jordan and Matt Gaetz have said they- they don't like section 702. Is the Republican controlled House going to reauthorize this and when?
Representative Turner emphasized the importance of collecting data and information through Section 702, which allows for the collection of information on foreigners outside the United States who pose a national security threat. He stated that this data is crucial in keeping the country secure and preventing terrorist attacks. He also mentioned that this includes capturing communications between individuals inside the United States and terrorist groups outside the country, such as those who have crossed the southern border. Representative Turner highlighted that maintaining these tools is essential in the face of increasing national security threats.
During the interview, Margaret Brennan sought clarification on the issue of individuals coming across the border whose names match the terror watch list. Representative Turner clarified that while this does not necessarily mean they are terrorists or suspected terrorists, the FBI director has stated that there are individuals allied with international terrorist organizations who have crossed the border and pose a threat.
According to Rep. Turner, the Department of Justice will continue to face devastating consequences under the Biden administration due to their two-tier system of justice. He accuses Biden of being a serial classified document hoarder, stating that over a 10-year period, Biden took home classified documents that posed a threat to national security without any protection, making them accessible to others. Rep. Turner emphasizes the need for consequences, pointing out that both Hillary Clinton and Vice President Biden, during their time under Obama, took classified documents home without facing any repercussions. He believes that this lack of action by the Department of Justice indicates a bias towards Democrats.
Margaret Brennan brings up the case against President Trump, who refused to fully hand over documents and violated the Espionage Act. Rep. Turner counters this argument by highlighting that Biden had these documents in his possession for over 10 years, and it is unacceptable to hoard classified documents for such a long period without facing consequences. He dismisses Biden's cooperation during his presidency, stating that it doesn't excuse his actions as a serial classified document hoarder for a decade.
As the conversation concludes, Rep. Turner expresses his gratitude to Margaret Brennan for the discussion.
