WASHINGTON, Jan 15 (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Mike

Turner said on Wednesday he will no longer serve as chairman of

the House Intelligence Committee after nearly two years.

According to media reports, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson

removed Turner from the role.

"Under my leadership, we restored the integrity of the

Committee and returned its mission to its core focus of national

security. The threat from our adversaries is real and requires

serious deliberations," Turner said in a statement.

Turner, who said he was proud to have served as chairman of

the panel, will serve as senior member of the House Armed

Services Committee.

He told CBS News that Johnson cited "concerns from

Mar-a-Lago," referring to the President-elect Donald Trump's

Florida estate, as a reason for his removal.

However, Johnson said he removed Turner because "we just

need fresh horses in some of these places," adding that it was

not a Trump decision.

"This is a House decision, and this is no slight whatsoever

to our outgoing chairman. He did a great job," Johnson told

reporters, according to a CNN reporter.

He said Turner's successor will be announced on Thursday,

according to CNN.

Representatives for Johnson did not immediately respond to

requests for comment.

Turner has served as chairman of the intelligence panel

since January 2023.

The chairman of the panel is among eight congressional

leaders known as the Gang of Eight who are briefed on classified

intelligence matters.