Mike Turner went on Face the Nation today [1] and delivered a performance that would have made his former boss proud. And I do mean former. It is worth reminding people that Donald Trump fired Turner from the chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee. Turner never criticizes Trump for it. He just swallowed it and kept serving the man. Turner and Trump share another important biographical detail. Both avoided military service while building political careers defined by pretending to be strong on national security.
Turner’s interview today was a master class in selective outrage. It starts with his retelling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. The question was simple. Was the attack in question caused by a failure in vetting or radicalization. Turner immediately launched into a revision of the entire twenty year conflict. He said “we did not go to Afghanistan to bring Afghanis here” and that the Biden administration “allowed Afghanistan to fall and fled.” When Nancy Cordes reminded him that Trump had cut a deal with the Taliban that set the exit timeline, Turner responded “their hands were not tied.” This is simply not true. Trump’s Doha deal put the withdrawal on rails. Biden inherited the timeline, the prisoner releases, and the collapse already in progress. Turner pretends none of that happened because it breaks the story he wants.
Then came crime in DC. Cordes noted that crime is down “30 percent in the last four months.” Turner still framed it as part of a national crisis of “crime and safety” and credited the presence of National Guard troops. It was another opportunity to turn a domestic policy question into a national security discussion. He treats every issue like it belongs to the Department of Defense. This plays well for Turner’s base and for the military industrial complex that keeps Wright Patt and a lot of local contractors funded. It does nothing to help civilians or local governments solve their own problems. Makes you wonder what Turner will say when Trump wants to send the National Guard into Dayton?
On Ukraine, Turner was asked about the leaked transcript that showed Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, coaching a Putin advisor on how to manipulate Trump. Brian Fitzpatrick called this “a major problem.” Don Bacon said Witkoff “fully favors the Russians.” Turner’s answer was that he was concerned about “the orchestration of giving Putin an opportunity to speak to Trump before President Zelensky.” The obvious question is why Putin should be speaking to an American president at all in the middle of his invasion of Ukraine. Turner will not say. He will not question Trump’s vulnerability to manipulation by an authoritarian. He will not acknowledge the danger of Trump’s “regular deal making” as Trump described it. He will not ask why his own party’s front runner is taking advice on foreign policy from people who appear to be running a two way messaging shop with the Kremlin.
Cordes pressed him on whether Witkoff should continue. Turner said you cannot take “just one slice” of a conversation and insisted the White House should be “concerned” about Putin getting access before Zelensky. What he never said is what matters. He never said Trump was wrong. He never said Trump’s negotiator crossed a line. He never said this was unacceptable behavior from someone representing the president.
On Venezuela, Turner was confronted with the Washington Post story that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly ordered the killing of eleven people on a suspected drug boat and, when two survived, ordered a second strike to kill the survivors in the water. Turner’s answer was that Congress “does not have information that that had occurred” but that “if that occurred, that would be an illegal act.” He did not sound surprised. He did not sound outraged. He did not demand answers. This is not oversight. This is pretending to do oversight.
Here is the part that CBS never asked Turner. And it matters more than any of the above. Senator Mark Kelley posted one of the most important statements of this entire political cycle with others in Congress with legitimate military/national security bona fides. He warned military service members that they may soon be asked to carry out illegal orders. He reminded them that their oath is to the Constitution and not to any president. Turner was not asked about it. Turner has not commented on it. Turner would almost certainly fail that test. He failed it when Trump broke norms. He failed it when Trump broke laws. He failed it when Trump purged the Intelligence Committee of anyone who would not obey. Turner failed it again today.
Turner said Russia is “murderously killing civilians” and that Putin is “an aggressive authoritarian regime.” All true. Yet when confronted with evidence that Trump’s envoy was advising Putin’s advisor on what tone and words would best influence Trump, Turner’s only concern was the “orchestration” and the “timing.” He treats Trump like a fragile instrument who must be protected, not a leader who must be held accountable.
Ohio deserves better than someone who pretends to be a national security hawk while refusing to question the man who fired him, manipulated him, and now expects him to fall in line again. Turner’s interview today was not leadership. It was loyalty to power, not loyalty to country. And CBS letting him walk off the set without answering Mark Kelley’s challenge was a missed opportunity for every American who cares about whether our elected officials still believe in the rule of law.
If you want Turner to answer a real question, ask him this: What will you do when a president orders something illegal and expects you to defend it. Based on everything Turner said today, we already know the answer.
and, um, Mikey, and um, you need to learn to lie smoother.
Mike Turner has been out of touch for way longer than he has been in Congress. Term limits would be nice!
Mike Turner is a deep state puppet and no friend of Trump and has no loyalty to President Trump. At this point he’s just in it to save his ass all of Congress pretty much supports the drug cartels. You need to get that through your thick heads. Both sides Another thing didn’t hear you bitching when Biden was flooding the country with illegal aliens. I know many people have died from fentanyl overdose so blow up every one of them damn boats that’s carrying drugs about time people realize that 2/3 of the politicians are on the cartel’s payroll Trump is not and yet you criticize Trump. You cannot make an educated decision because you don’t have all the facts yet you pretend you do and you actually know what’s going on which you don’t. Trump is exposing and destroying the deep state that has been our shadow government for years. Most of you are too stupid to realize it. Just sit this one out shut the hell up and watch us take our country back from the deep state, the illegals and the repressive government that Trump is fighting. Why do you think all of the media in everybody is after Trump? It’s because he’s exposing their gravy, train of fraud and corruption. Wake the hell up get on the right side before it’s too late.
I agree Republican Mike Turner is no friend of Republican Donald Trump. His faltering, stuttering, stilted speech, complete with his trademark throat clearing during this Face The Nation interview, are the tells he is uncomfortable with the words sliding off his lips. I expect Mike Turner has no warm and fuzzy feelings for Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson either, who has proven he is not up to the task of leading and is merely a Trump toady.
That said, Mike Turner has proven himself to be a stalwart supporter of NATO and Ukraine and is a foe of Vladimir Putin, which is more than I can say for Trump. Sadly, Mike Turner and current Republican Party members are Quislings like in those Vichy governments when Hitler and the Nazis overran Europe. Trump, his family, and his rich donors took over the Republican Party and now America, Europe, and the world are captive to Trump’s every whim and corrupt act. I believe even Howard Lutnick gave Mike Turner $1.5 Million.
Donald Trump and the Trump administration IS the “gravy train of fraud and corruption” and you should get that through your Q-addled pot-fried brain, Tim. Are you for Russia, Russia, Russia like Donald Trump? Do you actually think Putin’s Ukraine invasion or the extrajudicial killings of the boat occupants are lawful? Happy with the extraordinary rendition style deportations Trump and Noem are doing?
Since you brought it up, Tim, what exactly are you and your pals planning? Is America going to undergo another Jan 6 style coup debacle like you attended before? Have you not seen where the former Brazilian President, or the former South Korean President, sit today for their own recent unlawful activities against their own people?
You said you know it all and we don’t. Well, do tell, Tim. We’ll wait…
I ain’t doing nothing but sitting back and laughing. As people slowly figure out what’s going on. http://www.facebook.com/NeverAgain2015/videos/q-the-plan-to-save-the-world/256708622063863
No, that’s not true. Howard Lutnick, CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, did donate to Rep. Mike Turner’s (R-OH) 2022 reelection campaign, but the amount was the federal maximum individual contribution limit of $2,900—not $1.5 million. (The “$1.5B” figure sometimes mentioned alongside Lutnick in campaign donor lists refers to his estimated net worth, not the donation size.) This is based on Turner’s FEC filings for the first half of 2022, as analyzed in a local Ohio political blog tracking his 27 billionaire donors (all of whom maxed out at $2,900 individually). Federal campaign finance records via OpenSecrets also show no $1.5 million contribution from Lutnick to Turner or his associated PACs. If you’re thinking of a different context (e.g., a super PAC or recent 2024 cycle donation), no public records indicate anything near that amount.
More stale and nonsensical Q drops from Tim lol. I guess the Epstein files has all of the Qanon nutters in a state.
https://www.facebook.com/nytopinion/posts/for-qanon-the-real-problem-with-the-epstein-revelations-is-that-mr-trump-sits-un/1212783117382089/
Tim, it looks like you phoned a friend for Turner campaign dough research – a cut & paste? I did a double take and had to pull out part of your friend’s answer: “…as analyzed in a local Ohio political blog tracking his 27 billionaire donors…”. I think David Esrati would get a chuckle out of your researcher quoting his own blog info.
Mike Turner is definitely supported by billionaire and millionaire donors. For the sake of the discussion, I submit Howard Lutnick may have given Mike Turner less than $1.5M. To clarify what Turner did get, I offer these FEC links to his receipts where you can scroll and click to your heart’s content and do your own research:
Citizens For Turner – receipts (FEC):
https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?data_type=processed&committee_id=C00373001
Turner Victory Fund – receipts (FEC):
https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/?data_type=processed&committee_id=C00611962
It was from Grok that’s why I posted it… lol. Q is real ! There will be mass arrest.
Q is real. Grok does stellar research. You’re always good for a laugh, Tim.
Like that other tool Elon Musk, Grok is more Garbage In, Garbage Out.
This is more on point for you and not-so-sweet Karoline when you both repeat drivel.
https://bsky.app/profile/victorn86976916.bsky.social/post/3m6x4wpihqk2g
We’ll soon see if Private Bone Spurs sacrifices a real Admiral to a washed up talking head posing for a cameo in the remake of Lord of War.
If only Congress would do its job. Hello, Rep Turner? (He clears throat) Silence. Sigh…
Melissa, the point is your $1.5 million donation never happened and you’re full of shit. And you just spread around lies and never are held accountable so try harder.
Tim, I agree the donation from Lutnick to Turner was not $1.5M. I simply misread it. If you go back, I said I believed it took place. I was mistaken. No harm, no foul. I’m mature enough to admit my mistakes.
That said, there are plenty of verifiable numbers to prove Mike Turner is supported by many of the billionaires you claim to hate. I provided the FEC proof. No lie!
Provide some proof that “Q” is real and has all the answers to fix our nation. That dated Facebook video you provided is a bunch of hooey. It’s always crickets from you when it comes to facts and evidence.
Try harder yourself. Unless “Q” is you…
https://x.com/JordanOnRecord/status/1410316785199599616?mx=2
David had this in the blog vault, which I just found lol. Apparently, like Donald Trump, Mike Turner has had his own period of stolen valor. I believe Mike Turner’s dad, Ray, was a veteran though, unlike the generational cowards in the Trump family.
https://esrati.com/blind-faith-and-con-men-in-politics/8938/mike-turner-serving-photo
I wonder whatever happened with that fraudulent contract Turner had with his ex-wife (a Lebanese Muslim energy lobbyist?). Didn’t Turner serve a subpoena on his groomsman Darrell Issa (a Lebanese California House Rep) in Turner’s second divorce? That depo transcript would have been interesting to read. Alas, it’s sealed in our very own county clerk of court vaults…
https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/13/dayton-congressman-s-divorce-pulls/14787346007/
All I can say is that she has come a long way from that Indiana cosmetology school to now. She and Trump love their Diet Cokes though.
https://usea.org/profile/majida-mourad
PS To clarify, the Issa depo didn’t happen and, thus, no transcript. What’s sealed in the clerk vault is the divorce complaint and other documents in support of Turner’s fraudulent contract allegations. Tim is keeping me on my toes today with more honesty than my usual lol…
…when reading David’s boo-hoo missives about Mike Turner, it is too easy to file it in the category of sour grapes. After all, it was Turner who handed David an electoral butt whuppin’ of Biblical proportion.
In sporting equivalence, the Turner v Esrati scrap was similar to Mike Tyson’s meeting with Peter McNeeley. In what was commonly referred to as a “two hit fight,” one hit was delivered and one ass hit the canvas, in less time than it took James Brown to sing the National Anthem.
In fairness to David, the electoral beat down he received was about the average when it comes to Democrats challenging Turner. Southwestern Buckeyes disagree on a cornucopia of issues, but seem rigidly consistent in their 60-40 rejection on Dem candidates.
The simple solution would be to find a Democrat candidate who speaks to, rather than down, to the electorate. A candidate who offers solutions rather than appeals to arguments that Turner is Satan. A hopeful who shares midwest values rather than elitist niche concerns such as the trans agenda they push with religious zealotry.
And my suspicion the number of Democrats who fulfill that criteria is less than zero…
I guess it’s to be expected to see boxing, Tyson and Trump in the same comment these days.
Over thirty years ago, Mike Tyson was convicted for raping an eighteen year old and sentenced to six years of which he only spent three years in prison. Four days after parole, he announced a return to the boxing ring and five months later he fought little known Peter McNeeley (Wikipedia).
While it is true the Dems can’t seem to find a good candidate to win against Mike Turner in Republican gerrymandered Ohio, the oft repeated Turner / Esrati match ups over the years hardly compare with the Tyson / McNeeley fight. Tyson won after 89 seconds on a disqualification. If Stormy Daniels is telling it straight, Trump was also into a fast finish.
Mike Tyson and Donald Trump are both old blowhard pugilists. One is real and one is fake. Both like peacock struts, the fair sex, and rough handling. Trump is attracted to the wives of his friends and has apparently slept with some for fun (Epstein tapes).
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mike-tyson-once-stormed-into-donald-trumps-office-to-confront-him-about-wife-rumors/ar-AA1HEjIE
Rape and sexual assault have followed both around like Pigpen’s dust cloud. Mike Tyson paid his debt to society, but I’m not sure if he ever got the Trump pardon he coveted. What is clear is that Donald Trump is still lost in the wilderness. Immortal words from a “King” (not Don):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q4-REqaZlg
Dave how you feel about what Sen. Mark Kelly said ? 18 U.S. Code § 2387 – Activities affecting armed forces generally. This statute is one of the handful of federal laws that directly target subversive activities aimed at undermining the U.S. military, especially during time of war or national emergency.Full current text (as of December 2025):(a) Whoever, with intent to interfere with, impair, or influence the loyalty, morale, or discipline of the military or naval forces of the United States:(1) advises, counsels, urges, or in any manner causes or attempts to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty by any member of the military or naval forces of the United States; or(2) distributes or attempts to distribute any written or printed matter which advises, counsels, or urges, or in any manner causes or attempts to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty by any member of the military or naval forces of the United States—Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, and shall be ineligible for employment by the United States or any department or agency thereof for the five years next following his conviction.(b) For the purposes of this section, the term “military or naval forces of the United States” includes the Army of the United States, the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve of the United States; and, when operating as a component of the Department of Defense or Department of Homeland Security, the National Guard. In short, 18 USC § 2387 makes it a felony to intentionally try to incite active-duty service members to insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty, typically by distributing materials or directly urging them to do so. Penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 2387 Whoever violates subsection (a) (intentionally trying to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty in the U.S. armed forces) faces the following penalties: Criminal penalties: Fine under Title 18 (currently up to $250,000 for individuals; higher for organizations), or Imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or… Read more »
SECDEF HEGSETH: Didn’t Daddy Trump fire you lot? I’m not dangerous / incompetent.
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25878808-signal-investigation/
PENTAGON INSPECTOR GENERAL: We beg to differ.
https://apnews.com/article/hegseth-signal-war-plans-inspector-general-5a315349f428e22e5bf6a424287738eb?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-12-03-Breaking+News
SEN-AZ MARK KELLY: What I’ve said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzHiQgPjez0
Will Mike Turner have the military’s back & support lawful orders or will HE TACO to Trump?
More salvos:
DoD INSPECTOR GENERAL: SecDef Hegseth violated Pentagon rules, used unauthorized apps/devices, released sensitive info, risked operational security, and put US troops at risk.
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/26336957-pentagon-inspector-general-report-on-signal-chat-usage/
SECDEF HEGSETH: The killings will continue until media improves.
https://bsky.app/profile/teddyz56.bsky.social/post/3m77ft36jtc2i
Trump hired FUBAR Fox Friends. It’s best to take the JAG Corp & battle armor to work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMrVdFnjEjs
Glad to see Mike Turner is concerned and, hopefully, not like a Susan Collins level concern.
Pete Hegseth takes his kill orders from Charlie Kirk’s TPUSA head & not POTUS?
https://bsky.app/profile/dopre-me.bsky.social/post/3m77f73ycoc2d
US House Rep Mike Turner (OH-10), any new updates for your constituents?
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/turner-voices-concerns-about-alleged-strike-against-survivors-in-the-water/QDEJEZNCPJFTTJNQOCM7SWW3CI/?utm_source=Iterable&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_15951813
…when SP, 1A & AI have a threesome (damn, the tune is a brainworm)…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwV_xSwhbeM
US House Rep Mike Turner (OH-10), has updates on the Trump / Hegseth killings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0XDJjisTh0
Turner’s bipartisan intel partner, US House Rep Jim Himes (CT-4) also weighs in today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swYbjQm3k-w
Yet Ohio attorney Mike Turner’s assessment of the law and Congressional role seems different from Arkansas attorney Tom Cotton’s interpretation in the media these past few days. Presumably, they both rely on the Constitution, jurisprudence, rule of law, precedent, statutes, regulations, rules, codes of justice, etc. and not on political diatribe. Of course, there’s that old legal saw of “it depends”.
Like the unknown and very dead boat occupants, Senator Cotton is all wet when he advocates for extrajudicial killings.
Congress and the Intelligence Community should take the suggestion of US House Rep Jim Himes and “clear the wreckage” named Pete Hegseth from the federal payroll. It’s been obvious from the start Hegseth is unfit and out of his depth (the same can be said for DJT).
America needs to get on with the important business of governing even while clinging to the last shreds of integrity and decency. It’s hard enough work without having to navigate the reckless Trump regime. For boats, people and countries, it’s never too late to seek lawful guidance, reverse course, and take the correct appropriate actions.
“I am not a career politician” Mike Turner – He has been a liar from the beginning, an intellectual dolt but he has delivered for his paymasters, the war mongering contractors at the MIIC. Dayton has become less of a place since he was elected but Mike is as clueless as Tim Hart and the Old Bandito.
As far as killing drug dealers, I am all for it, as long as the US starts targeting every drug representative that are selling white pills to US doctors. In fact I have given targeting information to the Trump Administration concerning a VP of Pfizer who has a boat on Lake Norman in North Carolina, but so far no million dollar reaper drone has been dispatched to take out this scum.
Making naturally occurring plants illegal has certainly eroded our rights almost as much as the one issue voters that think they can manage their neighbors wombs, but still the stupid republicans persist in living in some fantasy land where every thing they hate should be illegal.
Mike is such a bum that he did not have one friend from Dayton that could be his best man when he married the second time? That in of itself should be disqualifying, yet this mindless drone wins every time.
The Grifter-In-Chief Donald Trump is back on the campaign trail to fleece his MAGA base for more donations. Under the Republican Trump regime, America hires out its own homegrown thugs to do the wet work.
Thieving Trump is pirating foreign oil tankers on the high seas now.
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3m7nudk7obv2o
Lackey Lutnick is commanded to praise Dear Leader on the Trump Gold Card. All the rich foreigners can buy their own American citizenship – corporations, too!
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3m7nugfbqah25
“We will take America without firing a shot. We do not have to invade the US. We will destroy you from within.” [Nikita Khrushchev, Russian, 11/18/1956, First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1964]
Putin plays war games with Trump at the expense of European allies, but Ukraine busts up the Putin / Trump collusion.
https://bsky.app/profile/atrupar.com/post/3m7nugfbqah25
Is this just a game of Risk in the plunder dome, fat cat Monopoly, or nose Candy Land?
We have a federal republic with representative democracy. If the three branches of government aren’t going to lawfully function, our reps should be bounced posthaste.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujzzdutMo2o
https://bsky.app/profile/charlie859.bsky.social/post/3m7o7upke7s2x
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5WmQLmbg5k
What a lawless sad sack Trump is…
Excuse me, excuse me! Trump says he defeated ISIS, but I don’t think it’s true.
https://bsky.app/profile/rbgprevails.bsky.social/post/3lyddb2n7jc2g
Congress should do its job & check Trump’s loving on the current Syrian President (a former ISIS leader).
https://bsky.app/profile/ronfilipkowski.bsky.social/post/3m5gvxgfn422r
Trump’s lying like that rug on Chairman Rogers’ head & it’s so embarrassing for America. Should Mike Turner try to sway him or is too busy trying to keep the EU / NATO together?
https://armedservices.house.gov/about/members.htm
Just today, three Americans were killed in Syria and Trump is going to retaliate. Maybe he can let Tulsi Gabbard out of her room to talk to her former friends in Syria. Oh wait, Assad lives in Moscow now. Shoot.
https://bsky.app/profile/coreyoneill.bsky.social/post/3m7vbkf5qr22t
https://bsky.app/profile/trending.bsky.app/feed/526401337