Trump's transition team is accusing Senate Democrats of “blocking” the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
No hearing has yet been set for President-elect Trump's DNI nomination, although Republicans have pushed for Gabbard to be the first candidate considered due to national security concerns. Her possible hearing delay was first reported in Axios.
The office of Intel Vice Chairman Mark Warner (Virginia) told Fox News Digital that under Senate Select Committee on Intelligence rules, the Senate must receive all required documents at least one week in advance. The Special Committee on Information is said not to be able to hold public hearings.
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Chairman Mark Warner speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on March 8, 2023, at the Capitol. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade Rose)
Warner's office said the committee has not yet received any pre-hearing questions or ethics disclosures from Gabbard. They also haven't obtained a copy of her FBI background check.
But Gabbard's press secretary and Trump's transition team rejected this. Documents due Dec. 18 have been submitted, an FBI background check has been completed, and additional paperwork is scheduled for Thursday and is expected to be completed by then, according to Transition.
The FBI did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's questions about whether background checks were provided to the Intel committee.
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Trump nominated Gabbard to lead the DNI. (Kamil Krzazinski/AFP via Getty Images)
The transition team also noted that Gabbard has a top-secret security clearance from her Army service, which means her background check has been expedited.
A spokeswoman for Ms. Gabbard claimed that Ms. Warner had instructed Democrats on the committee not to set up a meeting until she had initiated the process for meeting Ms. Gabbard. They said Warner's office received an email on Nov. 27, but did not receive a response until Dec. 29.
“After the New Year's Eve and New Year's Day terrorist attacks, Senator Warner and the Democratic Party are playing the politics of protecting the safety of the American people and national security by blocking the nomination of Lt. Col. Gabbard to meet with all members of Congress. It's sad to see who's going to see her as this process continues,” transition spokeswoman Alexa Henning said.
“It is critical that the Senate swiftly approve President-elect Trump’s national security nominee, which has been a bipartisan effort. I look forward to Lt. Col. Gabbard's hearing before the ceremony.”
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Mr. Ossoff met with Ms. Gabbard last month. (Tom Williams Pool/Getty Images)
The only Democratic lawmaker to circumvent this supposed directive was Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia, according to the transition team. The two met at the Capitol last month.
Gabbard's team added that Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Angus King (R-Maine) responded only after Warner's team ultimately acknowledged the meeting.
Mr. Warner's office denied giving such instructions to Democratic lawmakers. “That is completely untrue. Vice Chairman Warner has asked all senators on the committee (as he has) to meet with the nominee and review her experience, record, and statements for themselves. “We encourage her to evaluate and reach her own conclusions about whether she has the qualifications and background for this important role,” spokesperson Rachel Cohen told FOX News Digital in a statement. Ta.
Inter's vice president spoke directly with Gabbard on Tuesday. “I had a session with Ms. Gabbard, and I came in with a lot of questions. I still have a lot of questions,” Warner said afterward.
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Mr. Cotton currently serves as Chairman of the Intel Committee. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc, via Getty Images)
“This is a very serious job that requires us to maintain the independence of the intelligence community. It also means maintaining the cooperation of our allies. We get a lot of information from our allies on a shared basis. And if you have that information, you can get that information.'' It's not secure and it's causing great concern. So we're asking her some questions. This is the beginning of the process. ”
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Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a spokesman for Intel's new chairman, told Fox News Digital: “Chairman Cotton intends to hold a hearing before the inauguration. “We are working diligently on the transition.” We are working towards that goal. ”
A source told Fox News Digital that the committee has not yet asked Gabbard to provide written responses to advance policy questions and stressed that she cannot respond to those she has not yet received.
