Gabbard Doesn’t Exactly Ease Concerns That She’s Sympathetic to Russia
Donald Trump nominated a troubling collection of loyalists to occupy some of the most consequential administration positions. Tulsi Gabbard, his pick for Director of National Intelligence, is uniquely concerning. The former Democratic congresswoman served overseas but has no intelligence experience, has been criticized for meeting with since-deposed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and has a history of pushing Russian propaganda.
Gabbard’s confirmation prospects have grown increasingly dubious in light of some of the reporting that has emerged since her nomination. ABC News reported last month that she regularly consumed and shared Russian state media while she was in Congress, citing multiple former staffers. “That Gabbard’s views mirror Russia’s narrative and disinformation themes can but suggest na?veté, collusion, or politically opportunistic sycophancy to echo whatever she believes Trump wants to hear,” retired intelligence officer Doug London told the outlet.
The Guardian reported on serious concerns within the intelligence community about Gabbard’s relationship with foreign adversaries, particularly Syria. As one person familiar with discussions among senior intelligence officials put it, “She is historically unfit.”
Gabbard sat before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday to answer questions about her qualifications. Senators grilled her on security issues, her support for Edward Snowden, and her troubling ties to some of America’s adversaries — including Russia.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) read one of Gabbard’s social media posts from the night of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: “This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if the Biden administration/NATO had simply acknowledged Russia’s legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine becoming a member of NATO,” Gabbard wrote, as quoted by Bennet.
“Did you say that, yes or no?” Bennet continued.
“I believe you’re reading my tweet, senator,” Gabbard said.
Bennet then asked Gabbard if she is aware that her post, and additional comments she has made blaming the U.S. for the invasion, are akin to the talking points Russia pushes to justify the invasion. Gabbard replied that she doesn’t “pay attention to Russian propaganda.”
Again, Gabbard reportedly consumed Russian state media regularly while a member of Congress — particularly RT, which posted to X multiple times praising her performance before the Intelligence Committee on Thursday. “We’ve got your back, Tulsi,” the propaganda outlet wrote in one post.
Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) also pressed Gabbard on her apparent sympathy to Russia, telling Gabbard that he wanted to “make certain that in no way does Russia get a pass in either your mind or your heart or in any policy recommendation you would make or not make.”
Gabbard replied that she was “offended” by the question, and that her “sole focus” would be the American people.
The focal point of the hearing, however, was Gabbard’s support for Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked sensitive intelligence data about the extent to which the U.S. was surveilling its citizens. Senators were clearly concerned about the prospective Director of National Intelligence defending someone who leaked national intelligence. Gabbard has in the past called Snowden “brave” and proposed dropping charges against him.
Several senators of both parties pressed Gabbard on her defense of Snowden, but she refused to disavow him.
“You consistently praised the actions of Edward Snowden, someone I believe jeopardized the security of our nation and then … fled to Russia,” said Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), going on to ask Gabbard if she still believes he is “brave.” Gabbard replied by acknowledging Snowden “broke the law,” noting that she does not “agree with or support all the information or intelligence which he released, nor the way he did it.” When Warner pressed her about whether she still believes he is “brave” and that the charges should be dropped, she refused to say, only continuing to reiterate that he “broke the law.”
Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) later called Gabbard out for refusing to address questions about Snowden, pressing her himself on whether she believes he is a traitor. She again refused to answer.
Gabbard has been widely viewed as the Trump nominee who could face the toughest confirmation battle. The number of Republicans who didn’t seem satisfied with her performance on Thursday certainly doesn’t dissuade this notion. Then again, Trump wants Gabbard, and Republicans tend to give Trump what he wants.
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