'Wasn’t about Donald Trump': The 'real' reason Mike Johnson fired the intel chair

There's more to the story behind House Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) decision this week to replace the chairman of one of the most powerful committees.

Politico's Rachel Bade reported Saturday that when Johnson fired House Intelligence Committee chairman Mike Turner (R-Ohio), it actually "wasn't about Donald Trump," despite the speaker mentioning there were "concerns from Mar-a-Lago" about Turner remaining in his role. In fact, Bade reported that Trump distanced himself from the Louisiana Republican's decision and "accused Johnson of trying to paper over his own political considerations."

The "real" reason for Turner's firing is, according to Bade, an effort by Johnson to curry favor with the faction of the House Republican Conference most opposed to his speakership. Turner's replacement, Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) is more in line with the MAGA wing of the GOP, and his appointment as Intelligence Committee chairman has been interpreted as an olive branch to the far-right House Freedom Caucus.

READ MORE: 'Concerns from Mar-a-Lago': Speaker Johnson boots pro-Ukraine Intel Chair in 'big shakeup'

But in extending a hand to his biggest critics, Johnson has ended up turning off other members of his fractured majority. One unnamed House Republican said that Turner's firing was a "shame." That member lamented: "Politics trumps substance, work ethic and experience."

"You have a two-seat majority, and you shot one of your members," another House Republican anonymously told Politico.

Those concerns could potentially result in Turner sinking critical Republican legislation out of spite. Johnson was barely reelected speaker on January 3, only securing the 218 votes necessary after Trump twisted the arms of two Republican members who were initially going to vote for Reps. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). But with Turner now apparently "mad" about being stripped of his powers as Intelligence Committee chairman, the embattled speaker may be in for major headaches in the 119th Congress.

Johnson's majority is also expected to soon shrink to just one seat. assuming Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) is confirmed as United Nations ambassador, her seat will become vacant along with the additional vacancy from Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), who the president-elect tapped to be National Security Advisor. With such a slim advantage, Johnson won't be able to lose a single vote from his conference if he hopes to pass legislation without Democratic support.

READ MORE: 'He's mad': GOP reps say ousted intel chair now 'never going to vote' for Johnson's bills

Click here to read Bade's full article in Politico.