Tulsi Gabbard's bid to become Director of National Intelligence faces a rocky road after a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing failed to win over key Republican senators. Gabbard, a former Democratic representative, has been criticized for alleged ties to Russian propaganda and her apparent sympathy for dictators. Her nomination now hinges on the support of all Republican senators on the committee, with several expressing concerns about her answers during the hearing.
Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for director of national intelligence faces uncertainty after her Senate Intelligence Committee hearing failed to win over key Republican senators. Newsweek contacted Gabbard's office for comment via email. Gabbard, a former Democratic representative, is one of several Trump administration picks facing scrutiny.
Her nomination for a top national security role has drawn criticism for allegations that she spread Russian propaganda and expressed apparent sympathy for dictators. Concerns about Gabbard's nomination predated her hearing. Missouri Senator Josh Hawley expressed worries that she might not survive the process, while Utah Senator John Curtis voiced concerns about some of her answers hindering his support. With the GOP holding a one-seat majority on the Intelligence Committee, Gabbard requires the backing of all Republican senators on the panel for her nomination to proceed to the Senate floor. Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Todd Young of Indiana, and Jerry Moran of Kansas are among those who could potentially block her confirmation. In the Senate, the GOP holds a 53-47 majority, allowing Gabbard only three Republican defections for confirmation, assuming all Democrats oppose her. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's confirmation was narrowly secured, with Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote in a 50-50 split. The three Republicans who voted against Hegseth—Collins, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—are all considered potential GOP defections if Gabbard's nomination reaches the Senate floor. During her hearing, Gabbard was pressed to condemn Edward Snowden, who leaked classified information in 2013 revealing the NSA's mass surveillance of U.S. citizens. When Oklahoma Senator James Lankford asked if she considered Snowden a 'traitor,' Gabbard largely sidestepped the question. Senator Young also noted that it was 'notable' that Gabbard didn't acknowledge Snowden's 'tremendous damage to national security' when asked to do so. Lankford, believed to support Gabbard, later told reporters he was 'surprised' by her refusal to label Snowden a traitor, adding that it 'wasn't intended to be a trick question.' Senate Majority Leader John Thune told The Hill that Lankford and Young appeared unimpressed with Gabbard's responses about Snowden. Regarding her confirmation chances, Thune stated: 'Everybody is going to come to their own conclusions. There were issues she had to deal with and address. We'll see how it goes.' Curtis also informed The Dispatch that some of Gabbard's answers 'created more confusion than clarity,' only 'deepening' his concerns about her suitability for the role. Collins, however, told reporters she was 'happy' with Gabbard's responses, including her assertion that she would not support a pardon for Snowden. Collins was previously undecided on Gabbard due to her past negative views on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows the federal government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign individuals outside the U.S. who may pose national security risks. Polymarket, an online platform where users wager on the likelihood of world events, currently gives Gabbard a 49 percent chance of being confirmed. Gabbard's nomination remains in a precarious position as Republican senators deliberate, with key senators expressing concerns and her ability to secure confirmation hinging on garnering unanimous support from Republican members of the Intelligence Committee
TULSI GABBARD DNI NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SENATE HEARING REPUBLICAN SENATORS EDWARD SNOWDEN RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA
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