WASHINGTON — The Senate Intelligence Committee has moved forward with the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence, despite various concerns over her previous statements that seemed to support Russia and a meeting she had with Syria’s ousted leader. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, is considered a controversial choice, drawing scrutiny from both Democrats and Republicans regarding her past endorsement of whistleblower Edward Snowden. The committee advanced her nomination after a narrow 9-8 vote, with all Democratic members opposing it.
With the nomination now going to the full Senate for final approval, a vote date has yet to be determined. Following last week’s charged confirmation hearing where Gabbard faced tough questions from GOP senators, Republican backing materialized after intense advocacy from Trump supporters, including notable figures like Elon Musk. It wasn’t certain her nomination would progress until three key Republican senators stated their support. Due to firm Democratic opposition and a slim majority within the GOP, Gabbard’s prospects for confirmation rely heavily on the Republicans rallying around her candidacy.
Despite concerns regarding her past positions, some in the Republican Party are endorsing Gabbard’s proposals to reform the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), which oversees the collaboration of 18 federal entities focused on intelligence. Many Republicans criticize the ODNI for being excessively large and overly influenced by politics. Tom Cotton, the Senate Intelligence Chairman from Arkansas, expressed eagerness to collaborate with Gabbard on necessary reforms.
Gabbard holds the rank of lieutenant colonel in the National Guard and has two deployments to the Middle East under her belt. However, she lacks official intelligence experience and has never managed a government agency or department. During the confirmation hearing, she faced particularly pointed inquiries regarding her previous praise for Snowden, who revealed classified details concerning U.S. surveillance programs and subsequently sought refuge in Russia. Gabbard acknowledged Snowden’s illegal actions but noted that he did bring attention to significant issues surrounding unconstitutional surveillance. “Edward Snowden broke the law,” she emphasized.
Another contentious aspect of her past is her 2017 meeting with Bashar Assad, the Syrian leader recently ousted in a civil conflict marked by claims of chemical weapon usage. Critics accused Gabbard of legitimizing a dictator, especially after she expressed skepticism about Assad’s alleged use of such weapons. In response, she stated that her aim was to discuss human rights issues with Assad during her visit.
Gabbard has also been criticized for her previous expressions that seem to support Russian narratives regarding the invasion of Ukraine, along with her opposition to certain U.S. surveillance initiatives. Many Democrats have stated that her responses did not alleviate their concerns. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly expressed that Gabbard’s decision-making ability is questionable for a position that is pivotal to national security. “While healthy skepticism is beneficial, consistently endorsing sensational but unfounded claims while disregarding our intelligence community’s thorough analysis can be perilous,” Kelly remarked.
In a recent example of pressure from Trump’s “Make America Great Again” supporters on Republican senators to back his nominees, Musk labeled Senator Todd Young of Indiana as a “deep-state puppet” in a now-deleted post. After discussions with Musk, Young later referred to him as an ally. Young, who had previously expressed hard-hitting questions for Gabbard that sparked speculation about his support, declared his backing on Tuesday. He indicated that his rigorous inquiries were in line with the Senate’s responsibility to seek firm commitments that would enhance national security.
