President Trump’s pick to serve as Director of National Intelligence appears to be on shaky ground after a bruising confirmation hearing which left some senators raising more concerns and heading into the weekend with more questions than answers.
Tulsi Gabbard appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday where she faced a brutal grilling from senators on both sides of the aisle.
The former Democratic congresswoman turned close Trump ally was grilled over 2017 travel to Syria, whistleblower Edward Snowden and her views on Russia.
Gabbard was on defense from the start and at times was defiant as lawmakers pressed her over her current views and past words and actions.
Even before she was named Trump’s pick for top U.S. intelligence officer, the MAGA favorite had been facing criticism for once meeting with then-Syrian dictator and accused of Russian sympathies.
The Senate Intelligence Committee has nine Republicans and eight Democrats.
Gabbard will need the support of every GOP senator on the committee for her nomination to advance to the Senate floor as she is not expected to receive support from any Democrats.
But some Republicans were expressing concerns following her hours of questioning on the hill.
President Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee for her confirmation hearing on Thursday where she faced a tough grilling for senators from both sides of the aisle
Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) pressed Gabbard during the hearing whether she believes Snowden is a traitor for leaking highly classified documents before fleeing the country.
She doubled down that she was focused on preventing future leaks but did not call him a traitor.
Lankford, who previously said he would support her confirmation, said after the hearing that there are ‘a lot of questions after it.’
Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) also appeared frustrated by Gabbard’s responses about Snowden during the hearing.
‘It’s notable you didn’t say “yes, he clearly hurt in various ways our national security,”‘ Young told her.
He also brought up that Gabbard has argued Snowden should be pardoned but argued Snowden’s actions likely endangered American lives.
‘I think it would befit you and be helpful to the way you are perceived by members of the intelligence community if you would at least acknowledge that the greatest whistleblower in American history, so called, harmed national security by breaking the laws of the land around our intel authority,’ Young told her.
He has not signaled which way he plans to vote on the nominee.
Senator James Lankford pressured Tulsi Gabbard over whether Edward Snowden is a traitor at her confirmation hearing
While not a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) did sit in on her confirmation hearing. He said he left the hearing ‘with more questions than answers.’
‘Some of her responses, and non-responses, created more confusion than clarity and only deepened my concerns about her judgement and what that will mean in this vital role,’ he said in a statement.
‘I remain committed to carefully reviewing Ms. Gabbard’s full record before making a final decision on her nomination,’ he added.
Senator Susan Collins questioning Tulsi Gabbard during the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Thursday
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) is also viewed as a potential swing vote. The senator asked Gabbard about Snowden as well as brought up reports Gabbard met with affiliates of Hezbollah.
Gabbard denied it and called it an ‘absurd accusation.’
After the hearings Thursday, Collins said she has ‘not made a final decision.’
‘She responded well to my questions, but I haven’t seen her responses to everybody’s questions,’ Collins, who had to switch back and forth between two hearings on Thursday, said.
Collins also told reporters she was ‘happy’ with how Gabbard answered her questions including saying no to her question about whether she would recommend pardoning Snowden.
Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) also said she answered his questions during the hearing to his ‘satisfaction’ after Gabbard told him she was ‘offended’ by one of his questions.
With some GOP senators signaling concerns or frustrations it remains unclear whether Gabbard’s nomination will make it out of committee as it only takes one Republican no vote.
Some senators not on the committee, such as Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) have indicated they are seeing what happens in the committee rather than weighing in.
While some senators remain on the fence or are holding their cards close, the fiery hearing did not dissuade other members of the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton in Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation hearing on Thursday. He said he supports the nominee after the hearing and indicated he thinks she will be confirmed
DNI nominee Tulsi Gabbard with Senator Cotton at her confirmation hearing on Thursday
Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said she should be confirmed and indicated he believes she will in the end be confirmed in an interview on Fox News.
Republicans do not need Democrats’ support if they remain united nor are they expected to get any Democrats’ support for Gabbard.
But lawmakers across the aisle came out of the hearing sounding the alarms over making her the country’s top intelligence official.
‘She couldn’t call Edward Snowden a traitor. She didn’t even refute calling him brave,’ Ranking member Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) told reporters.
‘She didn’t even deny her bill to give him a pardon. What message would that send to allies around the world? Would you trust to share information?’ he added.
He said he respects her service but has ‘huge issues with her judgement.’
