The chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives intelligence committee on Wednesday warned of a “serious national security threat” and urged the White House to declassify all related information.
The unusual statement by Mike Turner related to information about Russian efforts to place a nuclear weapon in space for possible use against satellites, ABC News reported, citing sources familiar with the intelligence.
Responding to the move by the Republican head of the committee, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said he was surprised by the disclosure as his briefing with congressional leaders in charge of intelligence was planned for Thursday.
“I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information relating to this threat so that Congress, the administration and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat,” Turner said.
House Speaker Mike Johnson and other lawmakers sought to assuage public concern fueled by Turner’s disclosure.
“I want to assure the American people that there is no need for public alarm,” Johnson told reporters in the Capitol. “We are going to work together to address this matter, as we do all sensitive matters that are classified.”
BY: KYODO
