If confirmed as Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard would daily brief him on highly classified national security information. Her Senate Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing revealed bipartisan concerns about her suitability for this critical role.
Gabbard, a former Democratic Congresswoman and Army Reserve officer lacking intelligence experience, faced scrutiny over past actions: her 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, her questioning of U.S. intelligence assessments on Syrian chemical weapons use, and her criticism of intelligence community data collection on U.S. citizens. However, much of the questioning centered on her praise of Edward Snowden.
In 2013, Snowden leaked 1.5 million classified documents on military and intelligence programs, initially sharing information with journalists in Hong Kong before seeking asylum in Russia. His leaks revealed widespread government collection of phone records and other secret programs, sparking a national debate on civil liberties. Gabbard has called Snowden “brave.” Senators argued that her support for Snowden undermined her credibility as DNI.
Repeatedly pressed, Gabbard defended her statement. She acknowledged Snowden broke the law but maintained he exposed illegal government activities. Snowden’s leaks led to the 2015 USA Freedom Act, designed to limit phone record collection.
A 2016 bipartisan House intelligence committee investigation concluded Snowden’s actions caused “tremendous damage” to national security, citing a Russian official stating Snowden shared intelligence with Moscow.
Multiple senators pressed Gabbard to label Snowden a traitor; she consistently refused.
Senator James Lankford (R-OK) asked if Snowden was a traitor. Gabbard responded by focusing on preventing future similar incidents.
Senator Todd Young (R-IN), noting Gabbard’s previous call for Snowden’s pardon, asked if Snowden betrayed his duty. Gabbard reiterated that Snowden broke the law and disclosed information improperly.
Young noted Snowden was likely watching the hearing. Snowden himself tweeted that Gabbard would need to disavow her past support for whistleblowers to be confirmed, wryly suggesting she claim he harmed national security. Young stated he agreed with Snowden.
Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), frustrated by Gabbard’s evasiveness regarding Snowden and her refusal to retract comments justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, questioned her judgment.
Asked about Russian state TV amplifying her 2022 comments on the invasion, Gabbard stated she ignores Russian propaganda and focuses on speaking the truth.
Gabbard opened the hearing by criticizing the intelligence community’s track record, citing faulty intelligence leading to costly failures and undermining national security. She mentioned the Iraq War intelligence failures and alleged overreach in investigating Donald Trump. If confirmed, she aims to reform the intelligence community.
By the hearing’s end, the impact of the pushback on Gabbard’s nomination remained unclear. Many Republican Senators have recently approved Trump’s other nominees, despite controversies.
