Senate Democrats are shifting to delay affirmation hearings for a few of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cupboard picks, particularly his alternative for nationwide intelligence director, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the highest Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, instructed reporters Tuesday he nonetheless has questions on Gabbard’s {qualifications} after assembly along with her this week. Trump tapped the previous Hawaii lawmaker for the important thing intelligence publish in November after she diligently campaigned on his behalf and joined the Republican Get together in a present of religion.
However intelligence officers have questioned her {qualifications}, noting she has by no means labored instantly within the area. (She did serve for 2 years on the Home Homeland Safety Committee.) Gabbard has additionally been criticized for spreading Russian propaganda and for her choice to meet with then-dictator Bashar Assad of Syria in 2017.
“I had questions going in,” Warner instructed reporters on Tuesday, per The Hill. “I have questions coming out. This is an extraordinarily important job. A lot of this … also about protecting the independence of the intelligence community and making sure we continue to have the ability to share classified information with our allies.”
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Axios added a key situation for Warner is that the committee doesn’t but have Gabbard’s FBI background test, ethics disclosure or pre-hearing questionnaire. CNN famous the senator wasn’t instantly criticizing Gabbard’s health for the job, however mentioned he was working to “do it by the book.”
Nonetheless, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the chair of the Intelligence Committee, attacked Democrats and accused them of delay ways, saying he intends to maneuver ahead with haste to see Gabbard confirmed earlier than Trump’s inauguration later this month.
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“The Intelligence Committee, the nominees, and the transition are diligently working toward that goal,” a spokesperson for Cotton instructed Axios. “After the terrorist attacks on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, it’s sad to see Sen. Warner and Democrats playing politics with Americans’ safety and our national security.”
It’s unclear when precisely a listening to will happen. However Gabbard already has an energetic safety clearance, which means the nomination course of ought to be expedited as soon as it begins.
