Gabbard Faces Scrutiny at DNI Confirmation Hearing

Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by President Donald Trump for Director of National Intelligence, faced intense scrutiny during her Senate confirmation hearing, defending her past controversial foreign policy actions and statements. Gabbard's meeting with Bashar al-Assad and her questioning of US intelligence on Syria's chemical attacks drew bipartisan concern, as did her comments on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, where she initially echoed Kremlin narratives before attributing the conflict to Putin. She also addressed criticisms of her stance on FISA, indicating her past efforts to reform it, and insisted on her independence from any political influence. Gabbard argued that her military background and congressional service provided her with a solid understanding of national security challenges. She pledged to overhaul America's intelligence community to prevent politicization and restore trust, emphasizing her commitment to the American people over any foreign or domestic entity.