Senate panel sets hearing on Tulsi Gabbard nomination
Share and Follow


The Senate Intelligence Committee has scheduled a hearing to review the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence. 

The Jan. 30 hearing comes after Democrats resisted the scheduling of an earlier hearing, saying they still didn’t have the full slate of background checks, ethics disclosures and paperwork on a candidate whose overall qualifications have sparked their concern.

If confirmed, Gabbard, a former Democratic lawmaker, would lead the agency responsible for overseeing all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. 

Gabbard is one of President Trump’s most contentious nominees, with lawmakers pointing to her lack of experience in the intelligence field, and perhaps more significantly, her relationships with U.S. adversaries.

She met in 2017 with Syria leader Bashar Assad, who was recently overthrown. The meeting came after allegations Assad used chemical weapons against his own people.

She has also been a high-profile defender of national security leaker Edward Snowden and has echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric about the Ukraine war.

But she had made headway with some lawmakers in recent weeks by reversing her opinion on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, now supporting the tool that allows the U.S. to spy on foreigners located abroad without a warrant. 

“If confirmed as DNI, I will uphold Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights while maintaining vital national security tools like Section 702 to ensure the safety and freedom of the American people,” Gabbard said earlier this month.

That pivot earned support from Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

“Tulsi Gabbard has assured me in our conversations that she supports Section 702 as recently amended and that she will follow the law and support its reauthorization as DNI,” Cotton said.

She has also been seeking to explain her past support of Snowden, saying she didn’t feel the intelligence community had sufficient channels for raising concerns. 

That explanation has not rested well with all Intelligence Committee lawmakers, however, who have called the National Security Agency leaker a traitor. 

A source close to Gabbard said her latest comments to lawmakers reflect a shift in whistleblower protections since Snowden leaked documents in 2013. And while Snowden revealed documents on a different program, Gabbard has been reassured by reforms to how Section 702 can be used, they said. 

“Lt. Col. Gabbard made these statements almost 10 years ago and there have been changes and updates to both whistleblower protection for contractors- which was a concern of hers – so if a member of the [intelligence community] needs to raise these concerns there are many avenues to choose from and not break the law,” the source said.

That explanation was criticized on the other side of the Capitol.

“She’s full of s—,” said Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

“Look, she’s doing everything that she can to try to get the next glittery job and demonstrating her complete lack of consistent principle,” he added, saying the shift on the foreign spying program shows “her principles are negotiable, to say the least.”

Updated at 2:53 p.m. EST

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Lamar Jackson may miss Packers game after bombshell report

Lamar Jackson’s Unexpected Absence: What the Latest Report Means for Ravens vs. Packers Showdown

Lamar Jackson’s participation in the Baltimore Ravens’ upcoming game against the Green…
The 'hard-knock' life of Melodee Buzzard

Exploring the Resilient Journey of Melodee Buzzard

Melodee Buzzard’s young life was marked by turmoil before her tragic death.…
Ten housing markets are crashing like the Great Recession

Top 10 Housing Markets Plummeting: Are We Facing Another Great Recession?

The U.S. housing market is experiencing a subtle but notable downturn. After…
Pope Leo XIV delivers first Christmas message calling for end to violence in Middle East, Russia-Ukraine war

Pope Leo XIV’s Historic Christmas Plea: A Call for Peace in the Middle East and Russia-Ukraine Conflict

Pope Leo XIV, in his Christmas Day address on Thursday, made a…
Chicago Christmas 2025: Hundreds of Christmas Day meals delivered to West Englewood shelter by St. Sabina Church volunteers

St. Sabina Church Volunteers Spread Holiday Cheer with Meal Deliveries to West Englewood Shelter on Christmas 2025

In a heartwarming gesture just in time for Christmas, hundreds of meals…
California braces SECOND life-threatening wave of flash floods

California Faces Unprecedented Second Wave of Devastating Flash Floods: What You Need to Know

Residents of California are preparing for another wave of dangerous flooding as…
Christmas returns to Holy Land cities as Bethlehem’s Christian population dwindles, Nazareth remains strong

Bethlehem’s Christian Population Declines as Nazareth Remains Resilient Amid Christmas Celebrations in the Holy Land

This year’s Christmas festivities have returned to the historic cities of Bethlehem…
Zelensky says Ukrainians just want Putin dead as his country and Russia trade record deadly overnight drone strikes

Zelensky Reveals Ukrainians’ Ultimate Wish Amid Escalating Drone Warfare with Russia

In a dramatic escalation overnight into Christmas, Russia and Ukraine exchanged a…