Last week, I wrote to James Risch, the Idaho Senator on the Intelligence Select Committee urging him to approve Tulsi Gabbard for DNI. He must have voted for her in committee, because the committee is 9R/8D. Unless a D and a couple of Rs flipflopped.
I just got a response from him today, and I have to say that it's incredibly mealy mouthed - especially for a deep red state Senator who is supposedly all in on Trump. It almost sounds like he's wordsmithing a "no" vote without coming out and saying so. If he is all about the "Trump mandate" as he says, couldn't he have just said he supports her? I mean, the stupid committee vote was secret, but he'll have to vote "yes" in the senate vote for her to get in. His response almost sounds like he's responding to a democrat that he's trying to brush off.
Thank you for taking the time to contact me regarding the nomination of Former Representative Tulsi Gabbard to be Director of National Intelligence. I appreciate hearing from you.
The American people gave President Trump an overwhelming mandate on November 5. As President, he is entitled to nominate the people he believes are best qualified for the job. It is critical these key positions are filled with capable individuals committed to President Trump's agenda. As a member of the United States senate, I have a constitutional advice-and-consent role on these nominations. This is an obligation I take seriously.
In exercising my role, I will carefully review nominees to ensure they meet Idaho's conservative values.
Again, I value your effort to get in touch with me to share your thoughts, as many Idahoans do. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future on this or other issues.
Very Truly Yours,
James E. Risch
United State Senator