Senate panel advances Trump nominee for intelligence director post
The Senate intelligence committee is scheduled to vote Thursday on President Trump's pick to lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Democrats on the panel have offered public praise for the nominee while liberal groups have criticized the support.
The Senate intelligence committee plans to vote Thursday morning on President Trump's nominee to serve as director of national intelligence. Majority Leader John Thune said the panel could advance the nomination as soon as Thursday.
Democrats praise nominee The top Democrats on the Senate and House intelligence committees have issued statements supporting the nominee. One Democrat said he has known the nominee for many years and called him a capable public servant. The other Democrat said the nominee has shown independence of mind and respect for the law, adding that the Senate should confirm the nomination quickly.
Liberal groups object Liberal activists at Demand Progress criticized the Democratic praise. Demand Progress Executive Director Sean Vitka said no Democrat should find solace in the nomination and accused the nominee of being asked to investigate Democrats' ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Vitka also said the praise shows a desire to sabotage a deal on FISA privacy reforms.
Background on transition The current director plans to resign on Friday to be with her husband, who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer. Her departure prompted President Trump to appoint a federal housing regulator to serve on an acting basis. That acting appointment contributed to the House voting down the reauthorization of the federal government's foreign surveillance powers, and the statute expired on June 13.
