The next is a transcript of an interview with Home Intelligence Committee chairman Rep. Mike Turner, Republican of Ohio, on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that aired on Oct. 6, 2024.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We flip now to the Chairman of the Home Intelligence Committee Ohio Republican, Mike Turner. Good to have you ever again with us.
REP. MIKE TURNER: Thanks for having me on, Margaret.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to get to the Center East, however first on this problem of concern concerning political violence. Would you agree that language like what we simply heard there may be unhelpful?
REP. TURNER: Effectively, I believe it actually characterizes the truth that Donald Trump has had two makes an attempt on his life. And I do suppose that there’s work that must be finished, each by the administration and by Vice President Harris. The administration has come out and publicly stated- Matt Olsen from the Division of Justice on CBS Information acknowledged that there’s an lively, ongoing menace from Iran to kill, actively plotting, to kill Donald Trump. You have had no statements from the administration in direction of Iran as to what that may be, which might be an act of struggle, and you have no assertion from Vice President Harris condemning this and even recognizing that there is an lively plot from a overseas nation to kill her opponent. I believe there is definitely a job for her to play and for the President to play on this, in each figuring out that there are threats towards Donald Trump that have to be acknowledged and responded to, to discourage. I believe all of the candidates have to de-escalate, actually of their language.
MARGARET BRENNAN: However it’s the Biden-Harris Justice Division, Matt Olsen works for them, who laid out these expenses in regards to the Iranian state. You do not imply to indicate right here something that may counsel Eric Trump’s allegations that Democrats try to kill him?
REP. TURNER: No, after all not. However I do suppose that Vice President Harris must actively state and acknowledge that her administration is saying a overseas energy, which might be an act of struggle, is actively attempting to kill her opponent. They’ve- this administration has made stronger statements–
MARGARET BRENNAN: — okay, that is different–
REP. TURNER:– about Iran’s hacking actions than they’ve in regards to the lively plot to kill Donald Trump, which the administration acknowledges ongoing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, due to the priority in regard to anti-government violence on this nation and home violent extremists, the language particular to who’s carrying this out, I believe you’ll agree is essential.
REP. TURNER: I completely agree that there must be a firming down of rhetoric on either side, however there must be an acknowledgement, which has not occurred, from Vice President Harris that there is lively plots from a overseas nation to kill her opponent.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Would you like the FBI to launch the outcomes of its investigations previous to November 5, as Senator Rubio on Senate Intelligence has referred to as for?
REP. TURNER: Its investigations into the assassination try?
MARGARET BRENNAN: The 2 assassination makes an attempt at this level, which aren’t substantiated to have any ties to the state of Iran or to political actors at the moment.
REP. TURNER: Effectively truly, it actually cannot be stated that they’re- saying that there have been no substantiated ties does not imply that the investigation has concluded that there aren’t any ties. And I would like these investigations to- to return to a conclusion and decide whether or not or not both of those plots have any nexus or connection to the lively plot the administration is saying that Iran is- is plotting in making an attempt to kill Donald Trump. Which, once more, this administration must clarify to Iran that may be an act of struggle, and must have a really sturdy response from the administration
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, earlier than the investigation is concluded, as a result of it might not wind up earlier than November the fifth, would you just like the FBI to make public a few of its findings, to rule out a number of the conspiracy theories like we simply heard from that stage that the political opposition is accountable?
REP. TURNER: I do not suppose they’d be capable of do this.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You do not suppose they’d be capable of?
REP. TURNER: I believe they should conclude and they should get to fact. I do not suppose they’d be capable of get to some extent to launch data that may conclusively point out that both of these people acted fully alone.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I need to flip to the Center East. You have already taken us there and speaking about Iran particularly, however the place we’re proper now’s practically precisely a yr from that terrorist assault on October the seventh. You referred to as that an enormous intelligence failure from the Israelis when it occurred. Given all that has occurred in current weeks, I’m wondering what you assess about Israeli intelligence now.
REP. TURNER: Effectively, the US is working cooperatively with- with Israel in ways in which we weren’t essentially working previous to October 7 and- and I do suppose that- that Israel has modified its focus in its intelligence gathering and its assessments of its- of its intelligence. I imply, they actually have risen to the event to know that they are in an lively battle and seeking to ways- and to decrease the capabilities of their adversaries.
MARGARET BRENNAN: That nearest adversary in the meanwhile seems to be the federal government of Iran. What ought to the 40,000 US troops that President Biden has deployed to the area be bracing for? Are you involved that the US will get drawn into this battle if Israel carries out strikes on Iran.
REP. TURNER: Proper, so that is one other space the place the administration has not risen to the event. President Biden stated that the nuclear program of Iran is off the desk. It shouldn’t be a sound army goal by Israel and, or, the United States–
MARGARET BRENNAN:– Do you suppose it must be?–
REP. TURNER: — Completely. Actually, the President himself, President Biden, has beforehand stated that the US wouldn’t enable Iran to get a nuclear weapon, and that he would use army motion if mandatory. His personal Secretary of State has stated, greater than two weeks in the past that Iran’s breakout time to turn out to be a nuclear state was two weeks. So you might have Iran now actively–
MARGARET BRENNAN: But it surely’s nonetheless not weaponizing. US intelligence has not stated Iran has made the decision–
REP. TURNER: — They haven’t publicly said the- the present standing of this system, aside from what Blinken has stated that the breakout time was- was two weeks. The- seeking to proportionality, the place Biden says that Israel can solely reply in proportion, is as if this administration says Iran can ship 200 missiles into Israel, and so long as we have now missile protection that takes them out, we cannot have a look at Iran’s provocation there attempting to kill and destroy people and cities in Israel. That must be the response. The understanding must be that Iran has moved past their proxies, Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthis to have direct assaults to Israel, and Israel wants to have the ability to defend itself, and Iran must pay a value.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Effectively, the CENTCOM commander is presently in Israel, serving to to advise a number of the Israeli army. However simply to be clear, the US actually solely has the gear that would take out the sort of underground services which might be important to the Iranian nuclear program. Are you advocating for the US to be concerned in offensive motion?
REP. TURNER: I imagine it is fully irresponsible for the President to say that it’s off the desk when he is beforehand stated it is on the desk. For him to present Iran the consolation that their actions of attacking instantly, Iran, is not going to have any penalties for his or her nuclear weapons program is irresponsible.
MARGARET BRENNAN: So not a sure or a no. However- however I need to ask you about one thing that is taking place in your district, as a result of you might have a vested curiosity in what’s taking place in Springfield, Ohio. That is the city that is gotten a lot consideration previously few weeks as a result of the Haitian migrant inhabitants there. Going all the way in which again to February, you’ve got been sending letters asking for federal assist. You have introduced a number of the native officers right here to Washington to advocate the best way to take care of the pressure of the inhabitants progress. Have you ever gotten the federal assist you to’ve requested for- for Springfield, Ohio?
REP. TURNER: No. You understand, Mayor Rue has finished a wonderful job in Springfield, each in advocating and in attempting to tug the group collectively. He is come right here. We have taken him to the federal businesses which have the kind of funding that must be launched for what’s a federally created downside. The Biden administration, by way of increasing the parole program, I imagine illegally, introduced 500,000 folks right here from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti and others. And 15,000 to twenty,000 folks settled in Springfield, Ohio. However then the administration did one thing much more stunning final week. They indicated that they weren’t going to increase, however the momentary protected standing that these people have, which may end result of their going into an unlawful standing, and Springfield would have, these people wouldn’t have, in any direct federal assist, and the group would get no further help as to the best way to deal with this nearly 10% of the inhabitants of the of the town that now would fall into an unlawful standing because of the administration terminating their protected standing.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Which can occur within the coming yr, so this could possibly be a problem for the following president, whoever that President is. Congressman, thanks for explaining. Face the Nation will probably be again in a minute. Stick with us.