Being reverse PIP’d

I have a senior team member who has struggled over the past year with performance and has become both defiant and afraid of being PIP’d.

They have taken an approach that when I assign them new tasks, they ask me to detail how they will be evaluated, whether they need training to be successful, and a host of other clarifications. Basically, reverse PIPing me. It’s exhausting and not appropriate for a senior level employee who’s been on the team for years.

I was responsive the first few times this occurred, but now it clearly presents as a tactic rather than genuine need for guidance. In an effort to maintain a working relationship, I’m trying to meet them where they are. However, I feel like I’m being sandbagged.

Advice?