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Capitol Hill on Wednesday after the House Intelligence Committee chairman warned of “national security threats” related to “destabilizing foreign military forces” serious enough for President Joe Biden to declassify. The White House national security adviser and leading lawmakers gathered on Sunday to try to allay public concerns. “All information” about it.
Two sources familiar with Capitol Hill deliberations said the intelligence was related to Russia’s desire to put nuclear weapons in space. This is not intended for dropping nuclear weapons on Earth, but rather for the possibility of using them against satellites.
Still, “this is very worrying and a very sensitive issue,” one source said, calling it a “huge issue.”
Although they did not directly address the issue, several lawmakers were quick to call it serious without alarming the public.
“We’re going to work together to address this issue the same way we address all sensitive issues that are classified,” House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters at the Capitol on Wednesday afternoon. Ta.
“But we just want to make sure everyone has their hands on the wheel,” he said.
Rep. Jim Himes, a Democrat from Connecticut and ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, echoed this in his own statement, calling the warning “serious” but “no cause for panic.”
“Whether we can further declassify this issue is a worthwhile discussion, but it’s not a discussion that should be held in public,” Himes said.
Earlier Wednesday, Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement early Wednesday that the committee would “make information about significant national security threats available to all members of Congress.” provided,” he said.
“I urge President Biden to declassify all information related to this threat so that Congress, the administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions needed to address this threat,” Turner said. Ta.
He said that in accordance with the rules of the House, information on this issue is being made available to all members of the House in a secure location.
A letter from Turner and Himes to lawmakers obtained by ABC News said the threat was related to “destabilizing foreign military capabilities that all Congressional policymakers should be aware of.” It is shown that.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said at a press conference Wednesday that he had already scheduled confidential talks with Congressional leaders before Turner’s request.
Sullivan took multiple questions from reporters about the intelligence request, but declined to say specifically whether Thursday’s meeting would discuss the reported threat.
He also said only broadly that “Americans understand that there are a variety of threats and challenges in the world that we deal with every day,” including terrorism, without providing further details. There wasn’t.
“I am confident that the decisions President Biden makes will keep the American people safe,” Sullivan said.
“Earlier this week, I reached out to the ‘Gang of Eight,’ referring to leaders of both parties in the House and Senate and intelligence community leaders, and offered to attend a personal briefing… and , we have scheduled a briefing tomorrow for the four members of the House of Eight.”
“So I’m a little surprised that Congressman Turner came out today,” he said.
He also said the White House “has gone further and in more creative and strategic ways to declassify intelligence that serves the national interest of the United States than any administration in history. There will never be.” do it. “
“But just to be clear, Mr. Turner says this is an urgent issue in terms of destabilizing foreign military forces,” said ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary. Bruce asked. “Are you aware of the serious threats he’s referring to here?”
“‘Let’s just say I personally contacted the Group of Eight. In fact, it’s highly unusual for a National Security Advisor to do something like that. I set up a meeting. We did it to do that. …We will do that.’ Talk about that tomorrow,” Sullivan said. “I’m not going to say anything more.”
ABC News’ Lauren Peller contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Please check back for the latest information.
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