Senate Democrats Throw a Big Wrench in Tulsi Gabbard's Confirmation Hearing

Senate Democrats are reportedly hindering Republican attempts to expedite a confirmation hearing for Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.

According to Axios, citing multiple unnamed sources, Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, who serves as vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is resisting efforts to schedule a hearing for Gabbard early next week.

“Warner has pointed out that the committee has not yet received Gabbard’s FBI background check, ethics disclosure, or a pre-hearing questionnaire,” a source with knowledge of the situation told Axios. “Committee rules require the background check to be submitted a week prior to a hearing,” the report stated.

However, a source connected to Gabbard told Axios that she completed the background check process last week and already holds an active security clearance.

Additionally, Gabbard has submitted an initial pre-hearing questionnaire and is expected to provide a second one by the Thursday deadline, the source noted.

Gabbard is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves and a combat veteran. During her tenure in Congress from 2013 to 2021, she served on the Homeland Security, Armed Services, and Foreign Affairs Committees.

Despite these qualifications, Axios summarized: “[W]ithout the materials or sign-off from Democrats, the hearing for one of Trump’s most vital national security officials could be pushed to late next week — if not the week following.”

Trump transition spokeswoman Alexa Henning criticized the delay in a statement to the outlet, saying, “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.”

Following a Tuesday meeting with Gabbard, Warner expressed lingering concerns to reporters, as reported by The Hill. “I had questions going in. I have questions coming out,” he said.

“This is an extraordinarily important job,” Warner added. “A lot of this [is] 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.”

In contrast, Republican lawmakers voiced strong support for Gabbard. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama expressed confidence after meeting with her, stating, “I’m 100 percent for Tulsi. She’s going to be great, and I look forward to her taking over in the very near future.”

Similarly, Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee praised Gabbard on social media following their meeting. “[Tulsi Gabbard] proudly served her country as a lieutenant colonel with more than 20 years in the U.S. Army Reserves. She has firsthand knowledge of the critical role the intelligence community plays in national security,” Blackburn posted on X.

As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard would oversee the 18 agencies comprising the U.S. intelligence community, including the CIA and various components of the Department of Defense.