Democrats blast Tulsi Gabbard s response to whistleblower complaint

We have new details for you about a whistleblower complaint containing allegations related to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a senior U.S. intelligence official and the whistleblower's attorney, say the complaint contains highly classified details about an intercepted call between two foreign nationals. They're reportedly discussing a person close to the president, but there's also criticism about how the complaint itself was handled. So let's bring in CBS News intelligence and national security reporter Olivia Gazese. Olivia, what is the reaction to this complaint? Sure, Adriana. As with many things in Washington, it kind of depends whom you ask. Perspectives have been split along party lines, and only a handful of lawmakers, the so-called Gang of Eight who oversee the nation's most sensitive intelligence, have actually seen this complaint, which was originally filed in May. It was hand-carried by the inspector general to Congress just last week. And Republicans who have seen it say it reinforces prior watchdog findings that it wasn't credible, but they have largely steered clear about questions of the delay. Democrats say that they're alarmed by redactions that are in this complaint, and they are absolutely furious over the months that it took for Congress to receive it. Here's what the Senate Intelligence Committee's vice chair told Face the Nation yesterday. I do not believe that Director Gabbard is competent for her position. I don't believe that she is making America safer by not following the rules and procedures on getting whistleblower complaints to the Congress in a timely fashion. And Senator Warner has been sharply critical of the DNI's approach to oversight overall, arguing she's improperly inserted herself into domestic election issues, while neglecting some core responsibilities of the office, including, like this, handling whistleblower complaints. So, how is Gabbard responding, Olivia? Well, over the weekend, she shot back with a long, intensely critical social media post defending herself and going on the attack against Senator Warner. She said she knew that a complaint existed as early as June, but didn't learn until six months later in December that the whistleblower actually wanted it sent directly to Congress. Now, because of how sensitive the intelligence in this complaint is—the complaint has been stored in a safe all this time—it requires special instructions from the DNI for handling, which she said she acted immediately when she was aware of the need to give those instructions. But again, Democrats are still saying that's not good enough, arguing that even if the delay wasn't hers personally, her top lawyer should have ensured that she was fully briefed on her obligations as DNI with regard to a whistleblower complaint this sensitive. All right, Olivia Gazis reporting from our D.C. bureau. Thank you, Olivia.