A whistleblower filed a classified complaint against Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, last spring. That is perhaps the only undisputed detail of a growing controversy.

Exactly what the complaint alleged is still secret — and may remain so. For now, Gabbard and members of Congress are offering differing accounts of the timeline surrounding the complaint, underscoring a broader dispute over oversight, procedure and the limits of Gabbard’s role.

An attorney for the whistleblower said that Gabbard delayed sharing the complaint with key members of Congress, as federal law requires. She says she turned over the document at the proper time, even though she says the accusations are unfounded and she has denied any wrongdoing.

What concerns have critics raised?

Democrats have raised concerns after Whistleblower Aid, who is representing the whistleblower, alleged that Gabbard deliberately delayed the release.

They said that the DNI has the responsibility to immediately notify Congress if a complaint meets the threshold of “urgent concern.” Critics say not following these guidelines undermines congressional oversight and whistleblower protections.

According to reporting by The Guardian and other publications, this episode began last spring when the National Security Agency intercepted a telephone call between two foreign intelligence agents who were discussing someone close to Trump. That person has not been publicly identified.

Gabbard took the information to...

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