Tulsi Gabbard Faces Bipartisan Criticism in Intelligence Director Hearing
TL/DR –
Tulsi Gabbard, chosen by President Donald Trump to be director of national intelligence, faced criticism from both sides of the aisle during her confirmation hearing. Issues raised included her sympathetic comments towards Russia, a meeting with Syria’s deposed leader, and her past support for controversial figure Edward Snowden. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and lieutenant colonel in the National Guard, has no formal intelligence experience, heightening the contentiousness of her nomination.
Trump’s Pick Tulsi Gabbard Faces Tough Questions in Director of National Intelligence Confirmation Hearing
Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, encountered substantial criticism from both Democrats and Republicans during a gruelling confirmation hearing. Her past comments showing sympathy for Russia, a meeting with Syria’s former leader, and support for Edward Snowden all came under scrutiny.
What To Know
- Trump’s pick, Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii with military tours in the Middle East, faces intense scrutiny during Thursday’s confirmation hearing.
- Despite winning over some Republicans, Gabbard needs almost all GOP senators to vote, yes, for confirmation due to thin Republican margins in the Senate.
- Her controversial remarks backing Russia’s justification for its Ukraine invasion and a 2017 visit with Syria’s former dictator have drawn criticism.
Gabbard’s opening statement expressed the need for significant changes to address years of failures in America’s intelligence service. Gabbard pledged to be objective, citing her military service, and promised to bring duty and responsibility to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Questions about Gabbard’s judgement and experience make her one of the more contentious of Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Given narrow GOP margins in the Senate, nearly all Republican senators must vote in her favor for confirmation.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard, has served two tours in the Middle East but lacks formal intelligence experience. Her controversial remarks have been her biggest confirmation challenge. She has previously echoed Russian propaganda justifying Ukraine’s invasion and opposed a key U.S. surveillance program.
Gabbard has received criticism for spreading Russian disinformation and has been praised in Russian state-controlled media. Lawmakers from both parties expressed concerns about her support for Edward Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor charged with revealing classified information about surveillance programs.
A 2017 visit with deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad is another contentious point. Following the visit, Gabbard faced criticism for legitimizing a dictator and expressing skepticism about Assad’s use of chemical weapons.
Gabbard defended her meeting with Assad, insisting she used the opportunity to question his human rights record. She unified her stance on the surveillance program Section 702, which collects suspected terrorists’ overseas communications, highlighting new safeguards designed to protect American privacy.
Gabbard argued that her critics are opposed to her nomination because she asks tough questions and deviates from Washington orthodoxy.
Gabbard’s nomination is among a few facing difficulty gaining unanimous Republican support. While the committee has not yet scheduled a vote, there has been much discussion over whether the vote should be public or private, with many Trump supporters advocating for a public vote to pressure GOP senators considering opposition.
Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Sen. Tom Cotton, supports Gabbard’s nomination and expressed hope that she could streamline an office that he said has grown too large and bureaucratic.
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