Tulsi Gabbard

2025 - 1 - 31

Tulsi Gabbard's Senate Grilling: Snowden, Assad, and the Battle of Words!

Bashar al-Assad - Director of National Intelligence - Edward Snowden - intelligence community - Trump administration - Tulsi Gabbard - US Senate

Tulsi Gabbard faces the Senate like a gladiator in a coliseum, dodging questions on Snowden, Assad, and US intelligence!

In a high-stakes spectacle straight out of a political thriller, Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s pick for the Director of National Intelligence, faced a Senate confirmation hearing that felt more like an interrogation. Senators, itching to get to the bottom of her controversial stances, unleashed a barrage of questions that could confound even the most seasoned tough cookie. Among the hot topics? Her views on Edward Snowden, the whistleblower who captivated the globe with revelations about government surveillance, and her past encounters with leaders some might label questionable, such as Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Gabbard stood before the assembly, composed but clearly invigorated by the verbal jousting, akin to a warrior facing a hostile crowd in an ancient arena.

Despite the tense atmosphere, Gabbard’s supporters argue that her perspective on surveillance issues, including the protection of civil liberties, could pave the way for a fresh and much-needed dialogue on American intelligence practices. The former congresswoman took her shady history in stride, firmly asserting her views while deftly sidestepping potential political traps set by skeptical lawmakers who had undoubtedly done their homework. After all, who wouldn’t be curious about the intel chief nominee’s penchant for rubbing elbows with figures like Putin and Assad?

However, what really added spice to the hearing was the sheer shocking nature of some questions. Senators delved into her past affiliations, and one can almost picture the look of disbelief on the faces of those who unearthed her previous comments on foreign policy. Much like an old press release that resurface at the worst times, it was a revelation of her shifting political alignments that seemed to come as a surprise to many. It was a classic case of politics making strange bedfellows, leaving viewers jittery and intrigued about what this meant for US intelligence.

ever in modern history have confirmation hearings felt so charged. Gabbard’s nomination wasn’t just about following Trump’s orders; it was about filling the vacancy left within a nation wrestling with the realities of surveillance vs. security and who gets to hold the keys to intelligence secrets. As the dust settled after the grilling, analysts were quick to wonder whether Gabbard would consider her past associations a liability or a fascinating backstory in a role that could shape national security policy for years to come.

Did you know that the position of Director of National Intelligence was created in 2004 as a response to the 9/11 attacks? It’s quite a pivotal role, overseeing a staggering 18 different agencies. And speaking of pivotal roles, did you know Gabbard was the first Hindu to serve in the U.S. Congress? No matter where the political winds blow, her confirmation saga will remain a fascinating chapter in the intricate interplay of politics in America!

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The 19th News"

Senators question Tulsi Gabbard about controversial surveillance ... (The 19th News)

Trump's pick to become the nation's intelligence chief faced scrutiny for her views on surveillance practices, which have historically been misused against ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "NPR"

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's intel chief pick, grilled on Snowden, Russia ... (NPR)

What this role does: The director of national intelligence leads the intelligence community across 18 agencies and organizations and advises the president on ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Key takeaways from Tulsi Gabbard's US Senate confirmation hearing (Aljazeera.com)

Senators grill Trump nominee to lead intelligence community over support for Edward Snowden, meeting with al-Assad.

Tulsi Gabbard faces a barrage of questions during her confirmation ... (WUNC)

JENNA MCLAUGHLIN, BYLINE: Hey, Sacha. PFEIFFER: I want you to give us a little background of Tulsi Gabbard because she is a Republican who wasn't always a ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Tulsi Gabbard grilled on Snowden, Assad and Putin in tense Senate ... (The Guardian)

Skeptical senators ruthlessly questioned Trump's national intelligence director nominee ahead of confirmation voteUS politics live – latest updates.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "WSAZ-TV"

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick to oversee US spy agencies, grilled ... (WSAZ-TV)

Tulsi Gabbard, ...

Tulsi Gabbard faces a barrage of questions during her confirmation ... (NPR)

Lawmakers were concerned she might clash with the intelligence officers she hopes to oversee. NPR's Jenna McLaughlin was watching and is with us to tell us what ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Livemint"

Donald Trump's cabinet picks —Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi ... (Livemint)

During confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard faced tough senate scrutiny on their controversial pasts.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "USA TODAY"

'Struggling with your nomination': 4 takeaways from RFK Jr ... (USA TODAY)

Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are among Trump's more controversial nominees, and faced tough questions from senators Thursday.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

WATCH: Tulsi Gabbard testifies at confirmation hearing for national ... (PBS NewsHour)

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, testifies Thursday before the Senate's Select Committee on Intelligence.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Associated Press"

Tulsi Gabbard's views on Russia, Trump and surveillance — in her ... (The Associated Press)

Tulsi Gabbard faced tough questions Thursday about past comments about Russia, Syria and government leaker Edward Snowden during a Senate confirmation ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Today.com"

Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, RFK, Jr.: Latest confirmation vote count (Today.com)

Lawmakers are weighing the fates of some of President Trump's most controversial cabinet picks including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Santa Rosa Press Democrat"

Photos: Tulsi Gabbard confirmation hearing to be intelligence director (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)

Kickstart your mornings with a roundup of the latest news, ensuring you step out the door fully informed. Arrives in your inbox at 8 a.m..

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Fox News"

'Refuse to be their puppet': Top 5 moments from Tulsi Gabbard's ... (Fox News)

Tulsi Gabbard appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday as part of her confirmation process to serve as director of national ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The Nation"

Senate Democrats Are Attacking Tulsi Gabbard for the Wrong ... (The Nation)

Preferring to defend spy agencies and line up behind the hawkish consensus, the bipartisan elite ignores the Director of National Intelligence nominee's ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

Miss the confirmation hearings for Patel, Gabbard, RFK Jr.? Here ... (PBS NewsHour)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Conspiracy theories about vaccines. Secret meetings with dictators. An enemies list. President Donald Trump's most controversial Cabinet ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Democracy Now!"

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's Pick for National Intel Director, Refuses to ... (Democracy Now!)

During her Senate confirmation hearing, Democrats grilled her over her refusal to label whistleblower Edward Snowden a “traitor.” We discuss Snowden's case and ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Live updates: Senate questions Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard in ... (BBC News)

President Trump's nominee to be top US spy, Tulsi Gabbard, and pick for FBI director, Kash Patel, face tough Senate hearings.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "The New Yorker"

The Mystery of Tulsi Gabbard (The New Yorker)

Kelefa Sanneh writes that, although the former Democrat has aligned herself with Donald Trump, who nominated her to be the director of National Intelligence ...

Post cover
Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Live updates: Senate questions Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard in ... (BBC News)

President Trump's nominee to be top US spy, Tulsi Gabbard, and pick for FBI director, Kash Patel, face tough Senate hearings.

Post cover
Image courtesy of "Spectrum News 1"

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick to oversee U.S. spy agencies, will face ... (Spectrum News 1)

WASHINGTON — Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, is expected to face tough questions from lawmakers ...

Explore the last week