During a recent Senate hearing, Democratic lawmaker Gabbard faced repeated questioning from both Republican and Democratic senators regarding her stance on Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked classified information in 2013. When asked directly whether she believed Snowden was a traitor, Gabbard consistently avoided providing a definitive answer, instead emphasizing the need to focus on preventing similar incidents in the future.
Republican Senator James Lankford pressed Gabbard on whether she considered Snowden a traitor for his actions of leaking classified information and seeking asylum in Russia. Gabbard reiterated that Snowden had broken the law but refrained from explicitly labeling him as a traitor.
Despite being pushed for a yes-or-no response by Democratic Senator Michael Bennet, Gabbard maintained her position of not categorizing Snowden as a traitor. She emphasized her commitment to implementing reforms that would enhance whistleblower protections and prevent large-scale leaks like Snowden's in the future.
Gabbard highlighted the importance of ensuring that all individuals in the workforce are aware of legal whistleblower channels and have direct access to report concerns. She stressed the need to focus on safeguarding national security while also respecting the rights of whistleblowers.
Throughout the hearing, Gabbard's responses centered on her dedication to preventing future security breaches and promoting transparency within the intelligence community. While she acknowledged the seriousness of Snowden's actions, she refrained from passing judgment on his status as a traitor to the United States.
