That of the White House national security The adviser said Wednesday that he had already scheduled a classified meeting with congressional leaders before a top House Republican asked the president Joe Biden “declassify all information” related to a “serious threat to national security”.
Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, was repeatedly pressed by reporters during a White House briefing about the Republican request, but he declined to say specifically whether Thursday’s meeting would aim to discuss this reported threat.
He also declined to provide further details on the matter, saying only that, generally speaking, “Americans understand that there are a series of threats and challenges around the world that we face every day.” , like terrorism.
“I am confident that President Biden, in the decisions he makes, will keep the American people safe,” Sullivan said.
Earlier Wednesday, Rep. Mike Turner, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that his panel had “made available to all Members of Congress information regarding a serious security threat national”.
“I am calling on 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 respond to this threat,” said Turner, an Ohio Republican.
A letter sent to members of Congress by the two top lawmakers on the House Intelligence Committee, obtained by ABC News, says the threat is linked to “a destabilizing foreign military capability that should be known to all policymakers of Congress.”
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, February 14, 2024.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters
Sullivan said at the White House briefing shortly after that he planned to meet with lawmakers.
“I contacted the Gang of Eight earlier this week” – referring to leaders of both parties in both houses of Congress and senior intelligence officials – “to offer myself a personal briefing…and in done, we have scheduled a briefing for the four House members of the Gang of Eight tomorrow,” he said.
“So I’m a little surprised that Congressman Turner came today,” he said, noting that he was looking forward to Thursday’s meeting.
He also said the White House “went further and addressed the declassification of intelligence in the national interest of the United States more creatively and more strategically than any other administration in history.” do this.”
“But just to be clear, Turner is calling this an urgent issue when it comes to a destabilizing foreign military capability,” asked ABC News chief White House correspondent Mary Bruce. “Are you aware that there is a serious and emerging threat here that he is referring to?”
“‘I’ll just say that I personally contacted the Gang of Eight. It’s actually very unusual for the national security advisor to do that. I did that to set up a meeting. … We’re going to have that conversation tomorrow,” Sullivan said. “I won’t say anything more.”
This is a developing story. Please check again for updates.
