Tulsi Gabbard DNI nomination/ Trump intelligence pick/ Gabbard Syria meeting/ Republican defense of Gabbard/ Gabbard confirmation hearing/ FORT LAUDERDALE/ Fla./ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Republicans are defending Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence (DNI), against Democratic accusations of being “compromised” due to past comments and meetings with adversaries like Syria’s Bashar Assad. Democrats, led by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, have raised concerns about Gabbard’s judgment, while GOP senators call the allegations baseless and politically motivated.
Tulsi Gabbard’s DNI Nomination: Quick Looks
- Democratic Concerns: Sen. Tammy Duckworth and others allege Gabbard’s ties to Assad and comments on Russia are problematic.
- Republican Defense: GOP senators say criticism is unfounded and stems from political bias against Gabbard’s party switch.
- Key Issues Raised: Gabbard’s 2017 Syria trip, endorsement of biolab conspiracy theories, and comments on NATO and Russia.
- Senate Scrutiny: Republican Sen. James Lankford signals Gabbard will face tough questions during confirmation hearings.
- Military Background: Gabbard has served in the Army National Guard for over 20 years and earned a Combat Medical Badge in Iraq.
GOP Defends Tulsi Gabbard Amid Democrat Concerns Over Her DNI Nomination
Deep Look
President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence has ignited a partisan firestorm, with Democrats questioning her judgment and Republicans vehemently defending her. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who recently joined the Republican Party, faces accusations of being too sympathetic to adversaries like Russia and Syria.
Democrats Question Gabbard’s Loyalty
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a decorated Iraq War veteran, expressed serious reservations about Gabbard’s past actions and comments:
“I think she’s compromised,” Duckworth said on CNN, citing Gabbard’s 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, a Kremlin ally.
Rep. Adam Schiff added that Gabbard’s nomination could damage U.S. alliances, saying:
“If our foreign allies don’t trust the head of our intelligence agencies, they’ll stop sharing information with us.”
Gabbard has also faced criticism for echoing Russian narratives, such as her 2022 comments about U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine, which she claimed needed safeguarding but were framed by Moscow as bioweapons facilities.
Republicans Push Back
“It’s wrong to suggest a U.S. lieutenant colonel is compromised. That’s dangerous rhetoric.”
Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt dismissed accusations of Russian ties as a baseless “slur,” while Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford acknowledged questions about her past but emphasized a need for thorough hearings to understand the context of her actions.
Military Credentials and Party Switch
Gabbard’s supporters point to her two-decade military service, including deployment to Iraq and Kuwait, as evidence of her loyalty and dedication. She received a Combat Medical Badge for participating in combat operations under enemy fire.
Her recent defection from the Democratic Party has also intensified scrutiny. Once a prominent Democratic voice, Gabbard has become a staunch Trump ally, further polarizing opinions about her nomination.
Contentious Issues in Confirmation Hearings
Gabbard’s confirmation hearings are expected to focus on:
- 2017 Syria Visit: Gabbard met with Assad during a controversial fact-finding trip, drawing bipartisan criticism at the time.
- Biolab Conspiracy: Gabbard amplified Russian claims about U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine, which experts dismissed as disinformation.
- NATO and Russia: Gabbard’s statements suggesting Russia had legitimate security concerns about NATO expansion have fueled concerns about her stance toward the Kremlin.
Outlook
As the Senate prepares for Gabbard’s confirmation hearings, both parties are bracing for a contentious process. While Republicans defend her qualifications and loyalty, Democrats are likely to scrutinize her record and statements, making her nomination a litmus test for Trump’s foreign policy direction.
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