Republicans on Capitol Hill have been sounding the alarm about the necessity of approving President-elect Donald Trump's national security team, and that alarm has only gotten louder since the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans by an ISIS-loving maniac. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is one of those voices calling for the quick approval of Trump's hand-picked team:

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the senseless terror attack in New Orleans. With reports of ISIS inspiration, the American people expect clear answers from the administration. The threat posed by ISIS will outlast this administration, and this is a clear example of why…

— Leader John Thune (@LeaderJohnThune) January 2, 2025

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the senseless terror attack in New Orleans. With reports of ISIS inspiration, the American people expect clear answers from the administration. The threat posed by ISIS will outlast this administration, and this is a clear example of why the Senate must get President Trump’s national security team in place as quickly as possible.

Despite the majority leader's desire to move quickly on confirmations, his Democrat colleagues reportedly have a different plan in mind: stall. Their first target? Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, is apparently "balking" at the insistence of Republicans that Gabbard's confirmation hearings be held early next week in order to have her approved before Inauguration Day. According to Warner, Gabbard has failed to submit completed vetting materials to the Senate within the seven-day pre-hearing window, something Republicans dispute.

Amongst Trump's nominees, Gabbard has possibly taken the most heat, with some on the left saying she's a "cult member" and others claiming she's "compromised." Here's RedState's Streiff on Gabbard's nomination: 

Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing should focus on whether she has the intellect and the character to effectively manage the US Intelligence Community. Slurs about her being compromised or her religion are off-limits. The fact that the Biden-Harris administration put her on a "watch list" is more of an indictment of the process that did that than any reflection on her. Yes, she does need to answer some hard questions about her vocal defense of Iran, meeting with Syria's Assad, and some other statements, but none of that justifies calling her compromised.

The criticism leveled at Gabbard prompted over 250 veterans to release a letter of support for her nomination, with the signers arguing that "Tulsi as a fearless and principled Congresswoman who stood up to entrenched political systems, we know her as a fellow veteran—one whose worldview was forged through the crucible of serving in combat zones and a lifelong devotion to service."

Moving forward with Gabbard's hearings may be difficult with the Democrats dragging their feet, but Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR) fully "intends to hold these hearings before Inauguration Day. The Intelligence Committee, the nominees, and the transition are diligently working toward that goal."

RELATED:

Tulsi Gabbard Accused of Being 'Compromised' and a 'Cult Member' Ahead of Her Confirmation Hearing

WATCH: Sen. Kennedy’s Response to Bourbon Street Attack Raises Questions About Greater Threats

Editor's Note: This article was updated post-publication to note the correct abbreviation for Arkansas (AR). We regret the error.