Posted 9/29/2023, 12:34:00 AM

Ernst Confronts Biden Nominee Over Official's Alleged Ties to Iranian Influence Campaign

Sen. Joni Ernst confronted a Biden nominee about an official implicated in an Iranian influence operation.
Ariane Tabatabai, a senior DoD advisor, was named in a report as part of an Iranian effort to bolster Iran's image.
Ernst questioned if it's prudent to have someone conferring with Iran in a sensitive counterterrorism role.
The nominee, Derek Chollet, claimed no knowledge of Tabatabai's alleged involvement.
Ernst said it's "unbelievable" Biden officials defended having an "Iranian spy" at the Pentagon.

foxnews.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/11/2023

Distrustful Republicans rip Hunter Biden special counsel appointment

Main Topic: Republicans criticize the appointment of U.S. Attorney David Weiss as special counsel in the investigation into Hunter Biden. Key Points: 1. Republicans accuse Weiss of signing a "sweetheart deal" with Hunter Biden and question his trustworthiness as special counsel. 2. Republicans suggest that Weiss was appointed to inhibit congressional investigations into the Bidens and to avoid testifying before Congress. 3. Republicans vow to continue their own investigations into the Biden family's alleged corruption and insist that Weiss must still testify before Congress.

8/13/2023

Mike Pence says he hopes Hunter Biden special counsel will ‘do his job without fear or favor’

Main Topic: Mike Pence welcomes newly appointed Hunter Biden special counsel and criticizes Justice Department under Trump administration. Key Points: 1. Mike Pence welcomes the appointment of David Weiss as special counsel in the Hunter Biden probe. 2. Pence criticizes the Justice Department under the Trump administration for pushing a "political agenda." 3. Pence expresses confidence in Congress, particularly House Republicans, to continue investigating the Hunter Biden probe.

9/16/2023

Biden Faces Backlash Over Iran Prisoner Swap Deal to Free Jailed Americans

President Biden is facing criticism from Republicans over a prisoner exchange deal with Iran that grants Tehran access to frozen oil revenues in exchange for the freedom of five imprisoned Americans, a trade-off that previous administrations have also made.

9/18/2023

Biden and Garland Relationship Chilled Over Perceived Missteps in Pursuit of Impartiality

Relations between President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland have grown cold due to the White House's perception that Garland's infatuation with special counsels is damaging the Justice Department's reputation and giving the appearance of investigations being walled off from political pressure.

9/27/2023

Biden Iran Envoy Hired Advisors With Iran Ties, Raising Concerns Over Influence on US Policy

The Biden administration's chief negotiator on Iran, Robert Malley, hired at least three individuals who were working to influence U.S. foreign policy on behalf of Iran's Foreign Ministry, which is now raising concerns and prompting an FBI investigation.

9/28/2023

IRS Documents Reveal Frustrations Over Limits on Probing Hunter Biden Tied to Joe Biden, Differing Views on DOJ Interference

House Republicans released documents suggesting that IRS agents investigating Hunter Biden faced obstacles whenever President Joe Biden's name came up in the probe, though senior Justice Department prosecutors believed the investigators had legitimate reasons to avoid the elder Biden, and there is no evidence that DOJ officials acted at the request of senior leadership.

10/26/2023

Biden Meets with New House Speaker Johnson on Ukraine, Israel Aid Ahead of Funding Deadline

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) met with President Biden at the White House to begin talks on national security funding for aid to Israel and Ukraine, following his election as Speaker of the House.