White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan dodged a question on the severity of a mysterious national security threat raised by the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on Wednesday.
The chairman of the House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Ohio Republican Rep. Mike Turner released a press release Wednesday asking President Joe Biden to declassify information about an unnamed “security threat.” NBC News White House correspondent Peter Alexander asked Sullivan if he could tell Americans there is nothing to worry about concerning the threat, but Sullivan danced around it. (RELATED: Jake Sullivan Confirms Continued ‘Action’ Will Be Taken, Says US Isn’t Looking For ‘Wider War’ With Middle East)
“The lack of your ability to say anything has the potential to raise distress for some Americans. In the simplest of terms, can you tell Americans that there’s nothing they have to worry about right now in terms of what [House Intel Chair Turner] describes as a ‘national security threat?'” Alexander asked Sullivan.
“Look, I think in a way that question — is impossible to answer with a straight yes, right? Because Americans understand there is a range of threats and challenges in the world that we are dealing with every single day,” Sullivan responded. “And those threats and challenges range from terrorism to state actors, and we have to contend with them, and we have to contend with them in a way that we ensure the ultimate security of the American people.”
“I am confident that President Biden, in the decisions that he is taking, is going to ensure the security of the American people going forward, and I will stand here at this podium and assert that — look you in the eye with confidence that we believe and we can, and will, and are protecting the national security of the United States and the American people,” Sullivan responded.
Turner did not specify what the national security threat was in his press release and Sullivan refused to elaborate further. Sullivan said he was planning to meet with the Turner and House leaders on Thursday to discuss the threat. The top Biden official also indicted that he was surprised Turner made a public statement.
“I am a bit surprised that Congressman Turner came out publicly today … That’s his choice to do that. All I can tell you is that I’m focused on going to see him,” Sullivan said, adding that “I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time.”
Various reports have speculated that the apparent threat is relating to space, though the Biden administration has not made an official statement. Two sources familiar with deliberations on Capitol Hill told ABC News the concern reportedly comes from Russia potentially desiring to put nuclear weapons in space.
“It is very concerning and very sensitive,” one source told ABC News, adding that it was a “big deal.”