White House Breaks Silence on Russian Anti-Satellite Weapon

The White House publicly confirmed that Russia has obtained a "troubling" emerging anti-satellite weapon, but National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Thursday it cannot directly cause "physical destruction" on Earth.

The Context

On Wednesday, Republican Representative Mike Turner issued a statement calling on President Joe Biden to declassify information relating to a "serious national security threat."

"I am requesting that President Biden declassify all information relating to this threat so that Congress, the Administration, and our allies can openly discuss the actions necessary to respond to this threat," the statement added.

What We Know

Kirby said Thursday that U.S. intelligence officials have information that Russia has obtained the capability for the anti-satellite weapon but that such a weapon is not currently operational.

"First this is not an active capability that's been deployed and though Russia's pursuit of this particular capability is troubling, there is no immediate threat to anyone's safety," Kirby said. "We're not talking about a weapon that can be used to attack human beings or cause physical destruction here on Earth."

Kirby seemed frustrated with Turner's calls to declassify the information.

"We make decisions about how and when to publicly disclose intelligence in a careful, deliberate and strategic way, in a way that we choose," Kirby said.

"We're not going to be knocked off that process, regardless of what, in this particular case, has found its way into the public domain," he added. "I can assure you that we will continue to keep members of Congress as well as our international partners and all of you and the American people as fully informed as possible."

Views

Congressman Adam Smith questioned Turner's decision to publicly ask Biden to declassify the information.

During a CNN interview Thursday morning, Smith, a Democrat from Washington, said he was "mystified" by Turner, who serves as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, deciding to make this public plea with Biden, saying that the decision was "inexplicable."

"There are circumstances when we want the other side to know what we know. But that is a decision that is made at the highest levels of the executive branch. It is not a decision that one individual member of Congress wakes up one day and decides he's going to do on his own. This is a highly, highly risky move," Smith said.

What's Next

According to the Associated Press, White House officials said U.S. intelligence officials have concerns about a broad declassification of the intelligence.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan was scheduled to brief lawmakers Thursday on the Russian threat.

Kirby said that the process of reviewing and declassifying aspects of the Russian capability was underway when Turner released his statement.

"We have been very careful and deliberate about what we decide to declassify, downgrade and share with the public," he said Thursday.