Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing delayed by Dems, accused of 'stonewalling'

The DNI confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard is being blocked by Democrats in the Senate, according to the Trump transition team.

Despite Republicans advocating for Gabbard to be among the first considered for President-elect Trump's DNI pick, no hearing has been scheduled yet, according to a report by Axios.

The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence cannot hold a hearing unless all required paperwork is received at least a week in advance, as per committee rules, as stated by Intel Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., to Planet Chronicle Digital.

The committee has not received pre-hearing questions from Gabbard or an ethics disclosure, nor have they obtained a copy of her FBI background check, according to Warner's office.

The FBI background check has been completed, and an additional round of paperwork is due on Thursday, which will be submitted by then.

The FBI did not promptly respond to Planet Chronicle Digital's inquiry about whether the background check was given to the Intel Committee.

Gabbard's Army service granted her a top-secret security clearance, which expedited her background check.

The Gabbard spokesperson claimed that Warner was preventing Democratic committee members from meeting with her until he had arranged it, thereby delaying her meeting process. They stated that Warner's office received an email on November 27 but did not respond until December 29.

Alexa Henning, transition spokesperson, stated that Sen. Warner and Democrats are playing politics with Americans' safety and national security by obstructing Lt. Col. Gabbard's nomination, who is open to meeting with any member who is willing to do so during the ongoing process.

"Swift confirmation of President-elect Trump's national security nominees is crucial, as it has been a bipartisan effort in the past. We are collaborating with Chairman Cotton and eagerly anticipate Lt. Col. Gabbard's hearing before Inauguration Day."

The only Democrat who ignored the directive was Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., the transition team stated. The two met last month at the Capitol.

Sens. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Angus King, I-Maine, only responded to Gabbard's team after Warner's team confirmed their meeting.

Warner's office denied issuing any directive to Democratic members regarding the nominee. According to spokesperson Rachel Cohen, Vice Chairman Warner has encouraged every senator on the Committee to meet with the nominee, carefully evaluate her experience, record, and statements, and reach their own conclusions about her qualifications and background for the critical role.

Warner met with Gabbard in person on Tuesday and expressed his concerns about the situation. He stated that he still has many questions after the meeting.

"The intelligence community's independence must be maintained, as well as the cooperation of our allies. We rely heavily on our allies for intelligence sharing, and if this information is not kept secure, it raises significant concerns. As a result, we have several questions for her to address. This marks the start of a process."

The Intelligence Committee, nominees, and transition are working diligently to hold hearings before Inauguration Day, as per the intentions of Sen. Tom Cotton, the new Intel chairman.

According to a source close to Planet Chronicle Digital, the committee has not yet requested written responses from Gabbard for the advance policy questions, and the source emphasized that she cannot respond to something she has not yet received.