Tulsi Gabbard's Confirmation In Serious Danger Of Failure

 January 27, 2025

Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for the position of Director of National Intelligence by President Donald Trump is currently facing significant resistance.

Semafor reported that Gabbard's confirmation hangs in balance amid skepticism from several Republican senators over her past remarks and foreign policy stances.

Republican lawmakers have voiced concerns primarily due to Gabbard's favorable comments in the past towards leaders like Vladimir Putin of Russia and Bashar al-Assad of Syria. These statements have raised eyebrows about her suitability for the key intelligence role.

Initially, Gabbard's skepticism towards certain surveillance tools under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) had been a point of contention.

However, she recently endorsed a warrantless surveillance provision, signaling a shift in her stance. Despite this change, doubts persist among senators about her alignment with the required security policies.

Senator Concerns and Gabbard’s Efforts to Clarify Position

Numerous discussions have taken place behind closed doors in preparation for her hearing. Senators such as Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins have met with Gabbard, indicating that they are formulating tough questions for the upcoming Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.

"I have a lot of questions I want to ask her. I’ve done some further research and I look forward to that hearing," stated Senator Collins. This highlights the critical scrutiny candidates undergo before obtaining approval for such high-profile roles.

Gabbard has yet to undergo a confirmation hearing, and its scheduling hinges on the completion of her FBI background check. The hesitation amongst members of the Intelligence Committee underscores the complexities of confirming appointees who carry controversial legacies.

Despite the hurdles, President Trump continues to back Gabbard, urging her to "prove herself" capable of managing the nation's top intelligence operations.

According to an anonymous White House source, “This is not people trying to put a knife in Tulsi … but there’s a problem, and nobody can figure it out." This statement reflects an underlying uncertainty within Trump's administration regarding the opposition to Gabbard's nomination.

Alexa Henning, a spokesperson for Gabbard, emphasized the ongoing support from some Republicans on the Intelligence panel and denied any public opposition from the GOP.

Henning highlighted that “She’s met with almost every GOP Senator in the U.S. Senate and Democrats who’ve accepted her invitation to meet. She is continuing the advice and consent process in the Senate and looks forward to her hearing.”

Political Advocacy and Opposing Views

Support within Gabbard's party varies, with figures like Senators Bernie Moreno and Tim Sheehy vocally supporting her. Senator Sheehy even accused opponents of orchestrating a "coordinated smear campaign" against Gabbard due to her proposed reforms to the intelligence community.

On the other hand, Senator James Lankford has expressed reassurance after her updated stance on surveillance tools, signaling a potential softening of initial resistance.

Furthermore, Senator Kevin Cramer admitted, “Early on there were some alarms, I think. But I think a lot of the people who had concerns earlier have met with her since, and are feeling more comfortable. We need to see how it all turns out. But I’m inclined to be supportive of her,” This comment suggests that continuous dialogue might be shifting perceptions among some senators.

Still, the path to confirmation appears fraught. Gabbard's inability to convince all Senators during her meetings, where some felt she seemed unprepared, adds to the obstacles she faces.

Comparatively, former Director Dan Coats enjoyed a smoother confirmation process, being affirmed with a vote of 85-12 in 2017, underscoring Gabbard's unique challenges.

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