Republican Senator James Lankford, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has expressed that there will be numerous inquiries directed towards Tulsi Gabbard during her confirmation process as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the intelligence community.
Senator Lankford specifically mentioned Gabbard's meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, stating that there will be questions regarding the purpose of the meeting. He also emphasized the importance of discussing Gabbard's past comments and understanding them in full context.
In 2019, Gabbard stated that 'Assad is not the enemy of the United States,' reinforcing her stance against US involvement in Syria's civil war. This statement came two years after her personal meeting with Assad, who has been accused of war crimes.
Senator Lankford acknowledged Gabbard's outspoken views on US foreign policy and stressed the significance of having leadership that supports the intelligence community. He highlighted the often overlooked contributions of intelligence personnel and the necessity of having leaders who can provide them with the necessary support and focus.
Trump's selection of Gabbard to head the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has sparked scrutiny due to her limited experience in the intelligence field and her public positions on Syria and the conflict in Ukraine, which some national security officials view as echoing Russian propaganda.
