Tulsi Gabbard Grilled By Skeptical GOP Senators In Senate Confirmation Hearing | EUROtoday

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Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s nominee to function the director of nationwide intelligence, confronted powerful questions from Republicans throughout her Senate affirmation listening to on Thursday, together with about her previous assist for Edward Snowden, who leaked data on categorised intelligence applications in 2013.

Four Republican members of the Senate Intelligence Committee pressed Gabbard, a former Democrat who endorsed Trump through the 2024 presidential marketing campaign, to forcefully condemn the previous NSA contractor and disavow laws she as soon as proposed calling for prices to be dropped towards him.

Over and over once more, Gabbard refused, placing into doubt whether or not her nomination will advance to the Senate flooring. She can’t afford to lose any GOP member of the committee.

“Edward Snowden broke the law. I do not agree with or support all the information or intelligence which he released, nor the way he did it,” Gabbard mentioned repeatedly in response to the senators’ questions.

When Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) requested Gabbard to reassure the intelligence neighborhood by answering, sure or no, whether or not Snowden betrayed his nation, Gabbard declined and mentioned, “I’m focused on the future.”

Lankford advised reporters afterward that he was “surprised” by the reply.

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), a possible swing vote on the nomination, additionally expressed frustration with Gabbard’s reluctance to acknowledge that Snowden’s actions harmed nationwide safety.

“It would befit you and be helpful to the way you are perceived to the members of the Intelligence Committee if you at least acknowledge that the greatest whistleblower in American security, so-called, harmed national security,” Young mentioned.

Gabbard did have interaction with Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), one other swing vote, nonetheless, committing to not advocate for pardon or clemency for Snowden if confirmed to the place.

During her time in Congress, the Hawaii consultant advocated ending key intelligence applications after Snowden’s leaks that uncovered the federal government’s interception of U.S. residents’ cellphone calls and digital messages. She has since reversed her opposition to these applications in a bid to win GOP assist for her nomination, sustaining she would assist them if confirmed to the job.

Democrats additionally grilled Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel within the National Guard who served two excursions within the Middle East, over Snowden’s feedback, in addition to her assembly in 2017 with then-Syrian President Bashar Assad, and for her repetition of Russia’s arguments about its invasion of Ukraine, together with by suggesting Moscow had justification to take action.

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“This is when the rubber hits the road. This is not a moment for social media,” Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) mentioned. “It’s not a moment to propagate conspiracy theories… This is when you need to answer questions of the people whose votes you’re asking for.”

Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) additionally questioned Gabbard’s judgment and her pivot on supporting intelligence applications she as soon as fiercely opposed.

“I have to tell you, as I try to make this a job interview, as I try to make my judgment on whether you should be confirmed, I don’t find your change of heart credible,” Warner mentioned.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tulsi-gabbard-donald-trump-snowden_n_679bd0bae4b0e1faebeee9c7