Additional Coverage:
- Dems accused of ‘stonewalling’ Tulsi Gabbard confirmation after GOP demands quick hearing (foxnews.com)
The Trump transition team alleges that Senate Democrats are hindering the confirmation of President-elect Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.
Committee rules require a week’s notice to hold a hearing, but Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence claim they have not received necessary paperwork from Gabbard, including pre-hearing questions, an ethics disclosure, and her FBI background check.
However, the transition team maintains that the paperwork was submitted on time, the background check is complete, and further paperwork will be filed by Thursday. They also assert that Gabbard holds a top-secret security clearance, which would expedite the background check process.
The transition team accuses Democratic committee members, led by Vice Chairman Mark Warner, of delaying the process by not scheduling meetings with Gabbard. They claim Warner directed Democrats not to meet with her until he did so, which delayed her meeting schedule.
However, Warner’s office denies this directive and states that he has encouraged all members to meet with Gabbard and evaluate her qualifications. Warner has met with Gabbard in person and still has questions.
Despite the allegations, Senator Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, has met with Gabbard, while Senators Mark Kelly and Angus King have responded to her requests after Warner’s team confirmed their meeting.
The new Intelligence Committee chairman, Senator Tom Cotton, intends to hold hearings before Inauguration Day. However, the committee has yet to request Gabbard’s written responses to policy questions.