Sources told The Hill that Tulsi Gabrield was struggling to get through her meetings this week with senators, underscoring the difficulty of her path in gaining confirmation as director of national Intelligence.

Nearly half a dozen sources, including senators, and people close to the issue, have indicated that Gabbard has trouble in meetings with legislators. One source familiar with the situation described the sit-downs, as “not going very well.”

The source said: “She seemed to be shallow. She was talking like a member of the House at an hearing, and not someone who should provide the daily intelligence briefing to the president.”

Two Senate Republicans echoed these concerns. One noted that many members who had sat with her were unimpressed.

The Senate GOP member stated, “I have heard that she is not well prepared.” He called the sessions “BS Sessions.”

The second Senate Republican said that there were “a lot” of “eyerolls” by members who sat with the former Democratic Hawaii Congresswoman early on.

Gabbard’s lack of experience, and her relationship with U.S. enemies are the main reasons why lawmakers dislike her.

She met with Bashar al-Assad in Syria in 2017, whose government has been overthrown after allegations that chemical weapons were used against his own citizens. She was also a prominent defender of Edward Snowden, and has repeated the talking points of Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine War.

It would be difficult for her, who has a strong support for Ukraine, to win the support of an outgoing leader like Mitch McConnell.

A source familiar with the senator’s meetings on Capitol Hill stated that the senators “were likely inclined to dislike her from the start.”

An aide to a Senate GOP member whose member met Gabbard stated that the meetings Gabbard had were “not conducive” to her winning votes, adding “she has some work to be done if she wants to get the job.” The more Gabbard meets with serious people the more they will see that there is a lack of competence.

The aide, however, was positive, calling her a “capable person who could quickly learn.”

She’s not trained for the job. “But I think she’ll be able to do it,” said the source.

Another Republican senator who met with Gabbard also said that Gabbard’s problems go beyond Syria and Russia. They cited her votes against the reauthorization of FISA Section 702, a law that gives the U.S. authority to spy on non-U.S. residents abroad without requiring a warrant.

The member stated that “the hard part is explaining to people why she voted four times against [FISA section 702] and now has to defend 702”.

Other people expressed less concern regarding Gabbard.

Markwayne Mullin, R-Oklahoma Senator, said this week that “they’ll discover she’s a direct shooter.” She is someone who, when she is focused, will be extremely motivated and get the job finished. And she will also be someone who can change the way DNI was run by [Director Avril haines] and where we are going.

He added, “People just have to get to her know and feel comfortable around her.”

Haines was confirmed by the Senate as the first official of President Biden’s Cabinet. On Biden’s Inauguration day, Senators voted 84-10 in favor of Haines.

Haines’ support at the time came from Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who Trump has chosen to lead the State Department.

Haines’ experience is typical for this role. She held several national security posts under the Obama Administration, including White House deputy national advisor and deputy CIA Director.

She replaced Trump’s previous DNI John Ratcliffe who was previously a Texas congressman. He received criticism for his decision to declassify information, which was seen as an attempt to spread sometimes unverified information to hurt Trump’s political opponents.

The Trump transition has reacted to reports that Gabbard struggles in her meetings.

“These cowardly, anonymous sources desperately want to stay in power. They hide behind the media and spread these lies that subvert the will the American people. Alexa Henning, transition spokesperson, said that President Trump was elected with a mandate from the American people for change.

Gabbard’s turmoil comes at a time when most of Trump’s other nominees are in a relatively better position. Pete Hegseth’s position as the Pentagon’s new leader, chosen by the president-elect, looked in serious danger mid-last-week before he went on a blitz to meet with members and media.

Source familiar with Gabbard’s recent meetings said that Gabbard is “probably more vulnerable” than Hegseth at this time. People who have met with Gabbard on Capitol Hill feel as though he has “turned a corner.”

After overcoming a wave of issues, lawmakers are confident that he will be confirmed.

I will admit, in the middle of last weekend, it felt as if there was a growing momentum against him. Ted Cruz, a senator from Texas, said: “I think this has changed significantly.” (R-Texas). “The momentum is moving in Pete’s favor.” I think Pete will be confirmed.”

Mullin is more blunt.

He said, “It wasn’t looking too good last weekend.” “I thought he would get there, if he made it through the whole week. And he did. You can see the tide turning for him now that he is taking his fight to the Senate. He is making his case, and it has been effective.”