• Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by President Trump as Director of National Intelligence, faces intense scrutiny during her confirmation hearing.
• Gabbard's past support for Edward Snowden and a controversial meeting with Bashar al-Assad emerge as key issues for senators.
• Democratic and Republican senators express doubts about Gabbard's judgment and qualifications for overseeing U.S. intelligence agencies.

In a confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Tulsi Gabbard faced a barrage of questions regarding her controversial past positions, particularly her support for Edward Snowden and a 2017 meeting with former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. Gabbard, who has been nominated by President Donald Trump to serve as Director of National Intelligence, encountered skepticism from both sides of the aisle, which may hinder her path to confirmation.

During the hearing, senators pressured Gabbard to clarify her stance on Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who leaked classified documents revealing the U.S. government's surveillance practices in 2013. Despite acknowledging that Snowden "broke the law," Gabbard would not label him a "traitor," stating that his actions exposed what she deemed "egregious, illegal, and unconstitutional programs" conducted by the government. This evasive stance was met with frustration from senators, including Senator Michael Bennet and Senator James Lankford, who found her inability to definitively label Snowden's actions problematic.

The conversation shifted when Gabbard's past meeting with Assad was brought up. Lawmakers expressed concerns about her comments suggesting the United States and NATO provoked Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Bennet notably read aloud statements Gabbard made regarding Russia's "legitimate security concerns," which led critics to accuse her of justifying the invasion. Gabbard defended her actions, arguing it is essential for leaders to engage with adversaries in pursuit of peace.

Despite her military background, including service as a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard, many lawmakers questioned her lack of formal intelligence experience. Gabbard's political transformation from a Democratic congresswoman to a staunch Trump supporter has led to skepticism from those concerned about her consistency on critical foreign policy issues.

As Gabbard tries to navigate these contentious discussions, some GOP senators, including Susan Collins and Todd Young, remain undecided about their support, heightening the stakes for her nomination. Should her confirmation reach the full Senate, she cannot afford to lose even a single Republican vote if all Democrats oppose her.

Her nomination and the surrounding controversy emphasize the challenges she faces as she seeks to become the first woman of color and the youngest individual to serve as Director of National Intelligence. As Gabbard emphasized her commitment to national security and intelligence reform, the outcome of her nomination remains uncertain, with upcoming votes poised to shape the future of U.S. intelligence leadership.

For a deeper understanding of Gabbard's positions, you can refer to the original articles according to NY Times, CBS News, AP News, and LA Times.