US Senator Warner criticizes intelligence agencies over threats to US elections, Gabbard actions

WASHINGTON, March 18 (Reuters) - Democratic Senator Mark Warner assailed the U.S. intelligence community on Wednesday for not providing briefings or assessment on foreign threats to upcoming U.S. congressional elections.

Warner, vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, also criticized top U.S. intelligence official Tulsi Gabbard over the seizure of voting machines from Puerto Rico and said that suggested a misuse of national security powers to interfere in domestic politics.

Such actions by the director of national intelligence could clear the way for President Donald Trump's "unconstitutional efforts to seize control of the upcoming elections," Warner told a Senate hearing on threats to the United States.