Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for director of national intelligence faced its stiffest opposition yet Thursday, as senators from both parties appeared exasperated by Gabbard’s answers during a hearing Thursday.
Gabbard, appearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, faced questioning over her connections to foreign adversaries and her criticisms of U.S. allies. On half a dozen occasions, senators asked Gabbard if she believes Edward Snowden — the former U.S. intelligence contractor and whistleblower indicted for espionage — is a traitor. Each time, Gabbard declined to answer.
“I’m focused on the future and how we can prevent something like this from happening again,” Gabbard said.
Republicans hold a 9-8 majority on the committee, which will vote on whether to recommend her nomination to the full Senate.
The line of questioning from senators, including Republicans, on Thursday suggests that lingering doubts exist about Gabbard’s qualifications for the role.
Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard and a former U.S. Democratic representative from Hawaii, pitched herself as an outsider and a disruptor who would strengthen intelligence agencies she deemed as devoid of the American people’s trust.
“President Trump’s reelection is a clear mandate from the American people to break this cycle of failure, end the weaponization and politicization of the intelligence community, and begin to restore trust in those who’ve been charged with the critical task of securing our nation,” she said.
Senators prodded Gabbard’s claims Thursday, reading her past social media posts aloud or questioning her visits with foreign leaders.
Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., asked whether Gabbard’s 2017 trip to Syria, when she met with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, displayed “good judgment.” Multiple senators pressed her about her comments about the Ukraine-Russia war, and her suggestion in 2022 that NATO was at fault for the war, not Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Gabbard walked back her statement during the hearing, saying that “Putin started the war in Ukraine” when asked who is responsible.
When Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., asked if she was aware that her previous statements were “in alignment with what the Russians have said to justify their invasion of Ukraine,” Gabbard was defiant.
“I don’t pay attention to Russian propaganda,” she said.
Bennet said he was “shocked” by her response. “We get to decide whether we’re going to confirm this nominee,” Bennet said.

But it was Gabbard’s defenses of Snowden, the whistleblower, that caused the most excitement.
Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., asked whether Gabbard still believes Snowden is “brave,” as she previously stated; she noted Snowden “broke the law,” but made no further comment.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, pressed whether she would “support or recommend a pardon or any kind of clemency” for Snowden; Gabbard said she would not. Sen. Angus King, D-Maine, asked why Gabbard previously pushed to pardon Snowden; she said she “takes very seriously the protection of American civil liberties in our Fourth Amendment rights.”
Sen. James Langford, R-Okla., posed a direct question: Was Edward Snowden a traitor to the U.S.?
Gabbard declined to directly answer. “I’m committed, if confirmed, as director of National Intelligence, to join you in making sure that there is no future Snowden-type leaks,” she said. She listed four specific actions she would do to guarantee this: ensuring there are “no illegal and unconstitutional programs”; limiting access to national secrets through security clearance reform; educating which legal whistleblower channels are available; and providing a direct whistleblower line to the director of national intelligence.
Langford repeated his question, whether Snowden is a traitor. Gabbard said she is “focused on the future.”
Bennet repeated Langford’s question four more times, raising his voice to a yell. “Yes or no, is Edward Snowden a traitor to the United States of America?”
“As someone who has worn our uniform in combat, I understand how critical our national security is,” Gabbard said.
Bennet cut her off. “Apparently you don’t,” he said.
The intelligence committee is expected to vote soon on whether to recommend Gabbard’s nomination.