Tulsi Gabbard took a firm stance against the perceived misuse of the intelligence community and fielded inquiries about Edward Snowden and the repercussions of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) during a heated hearing with the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday. Senators launched a barrage of critiques regarding Gabbard’s earlier opinions on foreign policy and the surveillance state, following her bold opening remarks where she condemned the politicization within the intelligence community and addressed personal attacks on her character.
In her opening statement, Gabbard asserted, “Those who oppose my nomination imply that I am loyal to something or someone other than God, my own conscience, and the Constitution of the United States, accusing me of being Trump’s puppet, Putin’s puppet, Assad’s puppet, a guru’s puppet, Modi’s puppet … The fact is what truly unsettles my political opponents is I refuse to be their puppet.” By pointing out the flawed use of intelligence authority, she highlighted the illegal surveillance of Carter Page, a former Trump campaign advisor, through FISA. She also brought attention to a controversial letter from 51 intelligence officials implying the emails from Hunter Biden’s laptop were Russian deception.
Gabbard addressed the FBI’s questionable practices, like its leaked memo targeting “radical traditionalist Catholics,” and drew from personal experience—allegedly being placed on a TSA domestic terror watch list named Quiet Skies. Notably, former North Carolina Senator Richard Burr endorsed her candidacy, acknowledging her extensive military service. Burr’s backing carries weight, considering he formerly chaired the committee and holds sway with Republican senators on the fence. Burr, who had voted to convict Trump during the Senate trial in 2021, stated, “I refuse to question the qualifications of a woman who has worn the uniform of her nation for 22 years and never taken it off. No fewer than five times has the Department of Defense reviewed her security clearance and extended it — every single time.”
Gabbard’s commitment to transparency and integrity was further emphasized by Republican Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, who commended her military record and her readiness to serve in a Republican administration, despite her background as a Democrat. Ernst, who aligns more with establishment Republican views, such as supporting military aid to Ukraine, holds influence over wavering Republican senators.
WATCH
WATCH: Tulsi Gabbard just exposed Barack Obama & the CIA for conducting regime change operations in Syria and training & funding terrorists.
No wonder they can't stand her.
"Today we have an Islamist extremist who is now in charge of Syria, who danced on the streets to… pic.twitter.com/irIvYN4pj3
— George (@BehizyTweets) January 30, 2025
The questioning from senators covered a range of foreign policy topics, with an emphasis on Russia, China, and Syria. Republican Kansas Senator Jerry Moran had a spirited exchange with Gabbard over Russia. He insisted, “I want 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 responded firmly, “I’m offended by the question,” and assured, “no country, group or individual will get a pass.”
Addressing the significant challenges, she refuted claims of excusing Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, labeling the invasion as “reprehensible.” The committee’s intense focus was on Gabbard’s views regarding Edward Snowden and FISA Section 702. While acknowledging Snowden broke the law, she refrained from labeling him a traitor as Democratic Virginia Senator Mark Warner pressed the point. Warner opposed her nomination, allegedly blocking meetings between Democrats on the committee and Gabbard. He chastised her stance, querying, “Can’t we do better than somebody who doesn’t believe in [Section] 702?”
Collins seems like a Yes on Tulsi, though we'll see.
Also: Wyden said he also favors reforms to Section 702, specifically warrant requirements to spy on Americans.
Asks Tulsi if she agrees with him on the need for that reform. She says: I do agree with you on that.👍
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) January 30, 2025
Though supportive of Section 702, Gabbard pressed for robust civil liberties protections, aligning with Democratic Oregon Senator Ron Wyden on privacy concerns. When asked by Wyden about her stance on requiring warrants for U.S. person queries under Section 702, she answered affirmatively, showcasing her nuanced approach.
"Those that oppose my nomination — are accusing me of being Trump’s puppet, Putin’s puppet, Assad’s puppet, a guru’s puppet, Modi’s puppet — what truly unsettles them is I refuse to be THEIR puppet." -Tulsi Gabbard pic.twitter.com/pEYofy9n0i
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 30, 2025
Republican Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton, the committee’s chairman, ardently endorsed Gabbard for the role of directing the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), affirming that her FBI background checks came back “clean as a whistle.” Cotton’s support is significant given his alignment with Trump’s policies, symbolizing Trump’s continued influence over such nominations.