Speaker Mike Johnson’s controversial appointment of two hard-right allies of former President Donald J. Trump to the House Intelligence Committee has sparked outrage and criticism from members of both parties.
Representatives Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, a key player in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, and Ronny Jackson of Texas, Trump’s former White House doctor with a history of ethical and legal issues, were appointed to the committee by Mr. Johnson on Wednesday.
The decision blindsided committee chairman Representative Michael R. Turner and top Democrat Representative Jim Himes, who learned about the appointments through news reports. The move deviates from the committee’s bipartisan tradition and has raised concerns about the handling of sensitive national security information.
Critics, including Democrats and mainstream Republicans, have condemned the appointments, with some accusing Johnson of prioritizing Trump’s agenda over national security. Former Representative Adam Kinzinger called the move “insane,” while Representative Mikie Sherrill expressed serious concerns about Perry and Jackson’s ability to serve on the committee.
Perry, known for his role in attempting to overturn the election results and his involvement in the events leading up to the January 6th attack on the Capitol, has faced legal scrutiny. Jackson, who was demoted by the Pentagon for alleged misconduct, has been a vocal supporter of Trump.
Despite the backlash, Perry and Jackson have defended their appointments, with Perry vowing to provide oversight to the intelligence community and Jackson emphasizing the importance of national security.
The new appointees will replace former Representatives Mike Gallagher and Chris Stewart, both mainstream Republicans who resigned from Congress. The committee, under Turner and Himes, has worked to restore its bipartisan reputation and focus on serious national security issues.
However, some members of the panel fear that the intelligence community may limit the information shared with Congress in light of the controversial appointments. The move has reignited concerns about the politicization of the committee and its ability to effectively oversee national security matters.
