'Not a place to play games': GOP reps fear Johnson’s intel committee picks will be a bust
One month after House members voted to save Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) from losing his position amid Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's (R-GA) efforts to oust him over making policy negotiations with Democrats, the Louisiana lawmaker is now in hot water with more of his GOP colleagues who are displeased with new House Intelligence Committee appointments.
Although Johnson did not even notify House Intelligence Committee Chair Mike Turner (R-OH) of those appointments, Turner insisted during an interview Sunday that he trusts the speaker's judgement in selecting Reps. Scott Perry (R-PA), and Ronny Jackson (R-TX) for the panel.
Axios noted last week, "Perry's phone was seized by the FBI as part of its Jan. 6 probe, while Jackson has faced allegations of drinking on duty and harassing staff when he was the White House physician."
READ MORE: 'The FBI told you that?' Intel committee chair grilled on why he trusts Johnson’s new appointments
Several House Republicans on Monday anonymously shared with The Washington Post their frustrations with Johnson's decision.
The speaker "has reversed course on this committee, and has now made it political again. He has reversed all the advances, which could harm America’s preparedness," a top Republican told the newspaper. "This is not a place to play games. This is not a place to appease somebody. This is where you got to do the real work."
While Rep. Steve Womack (R-AK) did not elaborate on his worries with Johnson's choice, the GOP lawmaker said Johnson "knows how I feel" about it.
Rep. David Joyce, who the Post notes is "not convinced" with Johnson's argument tha "multiple perspectives are necessary on the committee," was more frank with his stance on the situation.
"You appease those people, what gives everybody else the reason to do the right thing by encouraging bad behavior?" he asked.
Referring to a meeting Turner had with Johnson and Perry last week, the Ohio lawmaker told CBS Face the Nation host Margaret Brennen that Johnson promised "to continue to monitor the situation," and "if there's any indication of anything improper happening, that he will intervene." Turner added he believes "the speaker will assert leadership here."
However, the Post notes that during phone calls with ex-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) "and other Republicans last week, Johnson justified his decision by saying he appointed Perry and Jackson partly because former president Donald Trump urged him to do so, according to two other people with direct knowledge of the matter."
READ MORE: GOP rep who had phone seized by FBI as part of J6 investigation now has oversight over it
The Washington Post's report is available at this link (subscription required).
