Speaker to Name Ark. Rep. Crawford Intel Chair

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is expected to choose Arkansas Rep. Rick Crawford to replace Ohio Rep. Mike Turner as the next chair of the House Intelligence Committee, U.S. media reported on Thursday.

The chairman of the panel is among eight congressional leaders known as the Gang of Eight who are briefed on classified intelligence matters.

Johnson on Wednesday removed Turner from the chairmanship he held for nearly two years, saying "we just need fresh horses in some of these places." He said it was not a move ordered by President-elect Donald Trump.

Johnson has told people that he intends to replace Turner with Crawford, a low-key veteran of the intelligence panel, Politico reported, citing unidentified sources. Punchbowl, citing Republican party sources, reported that Crawford was likely to be the next panel chair.

Representatives for Johnson and Crawford did not immediately respond to a request for comment.