Tulsi Gabbard’s Charm Offensive Draws Skepticism From Republican Senators
In private meetings, Trump’s choice to become spy chief has mixed up details about a key surveillance law
“… Those concerns have largely remained private, and GOP lawmakers are expected to publicly support her despite their misgivings. But further missteps could jeopardize her nomination as Trump prepares to take office.
…
In her meeting with Sen. James Lankford (R., Okla.), Gabbard couldn’t clearly articulate what the role of director of national intelligence entails, two Senate Republican aides and a Trump transition official said. When she met with Sen. Mike Rounds (R., S.D.), Gabbard seemed confused about a key U.S. national-security surveillance power, a top legislative priority for nearly every member on the Senate Intelligence Committee, conflating it with other issues, the aides said.
Senators are under pressure from Trump and his allies to vote in favor of his nominees.
After a Tuesday confirmation hearing for Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to run the Pentagon,
Elon Musk, the billionaire adviser to the president-elect,
signaled his support for launching primary challenges against Republican senators who oppose the nomination. …”
