Top Senate Intelligence Dem grills Gabbard if Edward Snowden is ‘brave’: ‘Very troubling’
Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, did not hold back during the confirmation hearing for President Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. Warner grilled Gabbard over her previous remarks praising whistleblower Edward Snowden, questioning her judgment and loyalty to national security.
Warner wasted no time in addressing Gabbard’s past comments, stating, “Until you are nominated by the president to be the DNI, you consistently praised the actions of Edward Snowden, someone, I believe, jeopardized the security of our nation and then fled to Russia.” Warner pointed out that Gabbard had called Snowden a “brave whistleblower,” a sentiment that he strongly disagreed with.
Gabbard, a former Congresswoman from Hawaii who previously ran for president as a Democrat before joining the Republican Party and supporting President Trump, defended her previous statements about Snowden. She acknowledged that Snowden had broken the law by leaking classified information but argued that he had exposed illegal and unconstitutional government programs in the process.
Despite Warner’s insistence that Snowden is a traitor who deserves to rot in jail, Gabbard stood by her belief that Snowden’s actions had value in exposing government overreach. She emphasized that as Director of National Intelligence, she would be committed to protecting the nation’s secrets and preventing future leaks like Snowden’s. Gabbard outlined four immediate steps she would take to strengthen security measures and prevent unauthorized disclosures.
This tense exchange between Warner and Gabbard highlighted the deep divisions within the intelligence community and Congress regarding whistleblowers and national security. Gabbard’s nomination has sparked controversy, with critics questioning her lack of intelligence experience and her unconventional political path.
Despite facing criticism from Senators like Warner, Gabbard remained composed and resolute in her defense of Snowden. She maintained that while Snowden may have broken the law, his actions shed light on government surveillance programs that violated the rights of American citizens.
Gabbard’s confirmation process continues, with the Senate Intelligence Committee closely scrutinizing her qualifications and beliefs. As the debate over whistleblowers and national security intensifies, Gabbard’s nomination will be closely watched by both parties. Only time will tell if she can earn the trust and support of the Senate to serve as the Director of National Intelligence.
