New House Intelligence Committee Members Perry and Jackson Spark Controversy: FBI Investigation, Allegations of Misconduct, and National Security Concerns

Washington D.C., District of Columbia United States of America
Bipartisan concerns about their fitness for committee's responsibilities and potential risk to national security
House Intelligence Committee appoints Reps. Scott Perry and Ronny Jackson despite controversies and investigations
Jackson demoted from Navy Admiral due to alcohol-related misconduct allegations
Perry under federal investigation for efforts to overturn 2020 election
New House Intelligence Committee Members Perry and Jackson Spark Controversy: FBI Investigation, Allegations of Misconduct, and National Security Concerns

The House Intelligence Committee, a powerful and influential body in Congress with jurisdiction over national security and foreign policy matters, has been the subject of controversy following the appointment of two new members by Speaker Mike Johnson: Reps. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Ronny Jackson of Texas. The appointments have sparked bipartisan uproar due to concerns about their past actions and potential conflicts of interest.

Perry, a former leader of the House Freedom Caucus, had his phone seized by the FBI in 2022 as part of an investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election. He is currently under federal investigation and has been asked for a pardon by former President Donald Trump. Perry's appointment was met with immediate pushback from members of Congress, including Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), who wrote a letter to Johnson urging him to reconsider.

Jackson, a former White House physician for Trump, was demoted from Navy Admiral to Captain in 2021 due to allegations of alcohol-related misconduct and misuse of a sedative. He disputes these allegations but has been criticized for his behavior while serving in the White House medical unit.

The appointments came as a surprise, as Perry and Jackson are considered loyal to Trump and have histories that raise questions about their fitness for the committee's responsibilities. Some members of Congress argue that they pose a potential risk to national security due to their past actions.

Johnson defended his picks, stating that both Perry and Jackson have military experience and have not mishandled classified information. He also noted that they will be expected to follow the rules regarding national security.

The Intelligence Committee, which plays a critical role in safeguarding national security and upholding Constitutional principles, has been working to re-establish its bipartisan reputation after becoming increasingly politicized during the Trump administration. The appointment of Perry and Jackson could undermine these efforts and threaten the committee's ability to effectively carry out its responsibilities.

The controversy surrounding the appointments is not limited to Democrats. Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), a member of the Intelligence Committee, has also expressed concerns about Perry's appointment, stating that “people are angry.” Intelligenc Committee Chair Mike Turner and Ranking Member Jim Himes have both issued statements regarding the appointments but have not yet commented publicly on the matter.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.


Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image
Article Image

Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • Are there any new developments in Perry's investigation that could impact his appointment?
  • What specific actions did Jackson take while serving in the White House medical unit that led to allegations of misconduct?

Sources

92%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Rep. Mike Turner says Speaker Johnson will "assert leadership" if any "improper" behavior by new Intelligence Committee members

CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ Kaia Hubbard Sunday, 16 June 2024 23:14
  • Unique Points
    • Rep. Mike Turner is the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.
    • Rep. Mike Turner expects Perry and Jackson to be productive members of the committee and follow rules regarding national security.
    • Turner stated that both Perry and Jackson have military experience and have not mishandled classified information.
    • Jackson, a former White House physician, was demoted by the Navy in 2022 over allegations of inappropriate conduct involving alcohol use while providing medical care to former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
    • Perry had his phone seized by the FBI in 2022 as part of an investigation into efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
  • Accuracy
    • Speaker Mike Johnson is expected to intervene if any improper behavior occurs with the new Intelligence Committee members.
    • Johnson has the confidence in Perry and Jackson to serve on the Intelligence Committee.
    • Perry sees himself as a thorn in the side of GOP leadership.
  • Deception (80%)
    The author makes editorializing statements about the behavior of new Intelligence Committee members being 'improper' and Speaker Johnson 'asserting leadership' if such behavior occurs. These statements are not factual and are an attempt to manipulate the reader's emotions.
    • > Rep. Mike Turner expects Speaker Mike Johnson to intervene should any ‘improper’ behavior occur after the speaker appointed two controversial Trump allies to the committee.<br>He’s going to continue to monitor the situation, adding that if there’s any indication of anything improper happening, he expects that ‘the speaker will assert leadership here.’<br>
    • > both of them have had access to classified information before and there’s been no reports of any incidences of their mishandling of classified information.<br>
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The author makes an appeal to authority when stating that Speaker Johnson will assert leadership if any improper behavior occurs. This is a fallacy because the speaker's actions are not inherently justifiable simply because he holds a position of power.
    • Rep. Mike Turner expects Speaker Mike Johnson to intervene should any 'improper' behavior occur after appointing controversial Trump allies to the House Intelligence Committee. He expects that 'the speaker will assert leadership here.'
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

76%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

"People are angry": Mike Johnson faces bipartisan uproar over Intelligence Committee picks

Axios News Site: https://www.axios.com/2024/01-30/prior-authorization-gap-insurer-drug-decisions Andrew Solender,Juliegrace Saturday, 15 June 2024 15:56
  • Unique Points
    • House Speaker Mike Johnson appointed Reps. Scott Perry and Ronny Jackson to the House Intelligence Committee.
    • Perry's phone was seized by the FBI as part of its Jan. 6 probe.
    • Jackson has faced allegations of drinking on duty and harassing staff when he was the White House physician.
    • Johnson tapped Perry and Jackson to replace former Reps. Chris Stewart and Mike Gallagher, both of whom resigned midway through their terms.
    • Rep. Chrissy Houlahan sent Johnson a letter urging him to reverse the appointments.
  • Accuracy
    • Committee members fear the presence of Perry and Jackson threatens to disrupt a bipartisan consensus.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only mentions the controversial appointments of Reps. Scott Perry and Ronny Jackson to the House Intelligence Committee, while omitting any mention of their replacements Chris Stewart and Mike Gallagher who resigned midway through their terms. The article also includes emotional manipulation by quoting lawmakers expressing anger and concern about the appointments.
    • Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) sent Johnson a letter earlier this week urging him to reverse the appointments.
    • One House Democrat said panel members were ‘shocked at first, and [now] some people are angry,' calling the appointments ‘reckless.’
    • Some are also concerned about the highly sensitive information to which committee members are often exposed.
  • Fallacies (80%)
    The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The authors use phrases like 'roiled lawmakers in both parties', 'highly sensitive information', 'hard-fought bipartisan consensus forged in the aftermath of the Trump era', and 'reckless' to describe Johnson's appointments. They also quote a Democratic member stating that some people are angry and concerned, as well as a Republican member stating that Perry's appointment rewards bad behavior. The authors also appeal to authority by quoting Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) and other unnamed lawmakers expressing their concerns about the appointments.
    • House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has roiled lawmakers in both parties by appointing a pair of hardline conservatives to the House Intelligence Committee.
    • Some are also concerned about the highly sensitive information to which committee members are often exposed.
    • One House Democrat said panel members were shocked at first, and [now] some people are angry,
    • Part of the problem is it is rewarding bad behavior.
    • Speaker Johnson has the utmost confidence in Congressmen Perry and Jackson to capably serve the American people on the Intelligence Committee.
  • Bias (80%)
    The authors use language that depicts Rep. Scott Perry as a 'thorn in the side of GOP leadership' and 'the real concern'. They also quote a Democratic member stating that 'everybody is concerned' and another member calling the appointments 'reckless'. These statements demonstrate a negative bias towards Perry.
    • One House Democrat said panel members were 'shocked at first, and [now] some people are angry,' calling the appointments 'reckless.'
      • Part of the problem is it is rewarding bad behavior.
        • The picks were bound to be inflammatory: 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.
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        96%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Republicans vent fury over speaker’s elevation of Scott Perry: ‘There isn't only one group that can threaten them’ - Live Updates

        Politico News Site Name: POLITICO Full Legal Name of News Site: Politico LLC Location of News Site: Washington D.C., USA Jordain Carney, Thursday, 13 June 2024 17:42
        • Unique Points
          • Republicans expressed frustration over Speaker Pelosi’s decision to elevate Representative Perry.
          • There is a group that can threaten Republicans, according to some GOP members.
        • Accuracy
          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
        • Deception (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        77%

        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

        Houlahan asks Johnson to reverse Perry, Jackson appointments to House intel committee • Pennsylvania Capital-Star

        penncapital-star.com Kim Lyons Sunday, 16 June 2024 23:18
        • Unique Points
          • U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan is urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to reconsider and reverse his decision to appoint U.S. Reps Scott Perry and Ronny Jackson to the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
          • Perry, who is under federal investigation, would be a ‘threat to intelligence oversight’, according to Houlahan.
          • Houlahan cites testimony from Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide in former President Donald Trump’s administration, who stated that Perry was a crucial part in the planning of January 6 and asked Trump for a pardon before he left office.
          • Johnson appointed Perry and Jackson, both considered loyal to Trump, to the committee on June 5. This led to immediate pushback from members of Congress on both sides of the aisle.
          • Perry’s cell phone was seized by the FBI in 2022 as part of an investigation into attempts to overturn the 2020 election.
          • A federal judge ruled in December 2023 that Perry must disclose nearly 1,700 records from his personal cell phone to the investigation being conducted by special counsel Jack Smith.
          • Jackson, former White House physician for Trump, was demoted from Navy Admiral to Captain in 2021 due to allegations of alcohol-related misconduct and misuse of a sedative. He disputes these allegations.
          • Houlahan argues that Perry and Jackson are ‘unqualified’ for the committee’s responsibilities and pose a potential risk to national security due to their histories.
        • Accuracy
          • Perry is a 'threat to intelligence oversight' according to Houlahan.
          • Perry was a crucial part in the planning of January 6 and asked Trump for a pardon before he left office.
          • Houlahan argues that Perry and Jackson are 'unqualified' for the committee's responsibilities and pose a potential risk to national security due to their histories.
        • Deception (0%)
          The author, Kim Lyons, uses emotional manipulation by implying that Perry and Jackson are a threat to national security and above the law based on their past actions. She also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning negative information about Perry and Jackson while omitting any context or potential exonerating evidence. The article does not disclose any sources.
          • Perry, who is under federal investigation, would be a ‘threat to intelligence oversight,' Houlahan wrote in a letter shared with the Capital-Star.
          • Rep. Perry was a crucial part in the planning of January 6 and that Rep. Perry asked Trump for a pardon before he left office – indicative of someone who at a minimum believes himself to be above the law and above service to country.
          • This behavior would disqualify any non-member of Congress from carrying any security clearance, let alone accessing the numerous extraordinarily sensitive compartmented security clearances that will be afforded to Rep. Jackson as part of his responsibilities on the Intel Committee.
        • Fallacies (100%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Bias (95%)
          The author expresses her opinion that Perry and Jackson are unqualified for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence based on their past actions and ongoing investigations. She also uses language to depict Perry as someone who believes himself to be above the law.
          • Appointing him to the committee which oversees the FBI while he is under investigation amounts to a disqualifying conflict of interests.
            • Perry, who is under federal investigation, would be a 'threat to intelligence oversight'
              • Rep. Perry was a crucial part in the planning of January 6 and that Rep. Perry asked Trump for a pardon before he left office – indicative of someone who at a minimum believes himself to be above the law and above service to country.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              94%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Mike Johnson faces Democratic pressure to pull right-wing House Intelligence picks

              Axios News Site: https://www.axios.com/2024/01-30/prior-authorization-gap-insurer-drug-decisions Andrew Solender Tuesday, 11 June 2024 23:37
              • Unique Points
                • Rep. Chrissy Houlahan wrote a letter to Mike Johnson urging him to reconsider and reverse the appointments of Reps. Scott Perry and Ronny Jackson to the House Intelligence Committee due to concerns about national security and democratic norms.
                • Scott Perry had his phone seized by the FBI as part of an investigation into former President Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
                • Ronny Jackson was demoted by the Navy in 2021 over allegations of drinking and taking sleeping pills while on the job as a White House physician.
              • Accuracy
                • Rep. Chrissy Houlahan wrote a letter to Mike Johnson urging him to reconsider and reverse the appointments due to concerns about national security and democratic norms.
                • Ronny Jackson was demoted by the Navy in 2021 over allegations of inappropriate conduct involving alcohol use while on the job.
              • Deception (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Fallacies (95%)
                The author does not commit any formal or informal fallacies in the provided text. However, there are some instances of inflammatory rhetoric used by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan and the Perry spokesperson. These instances do not affect the overall score significantly as they do not alter the logical validity of the arguments presented in the article.
                • ]Reprehensible[/
                • hundreds of duly elected and upstanding members of Congress on both sides of the aisle
              • Bias (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication