Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin has come to the defense of Tulsi Gabbard amidst criticism from Democrats regarding her foreign policy positions, including a controversial meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017. Mullin accused Democrats of attempting to undermine Gabbard's potential appointment as Donald Trump's director of national intelligence.
During a recent meeting with Gabbard, Mullin dismissed concerns over the Assad meeting as 'old news' and emphasized that her military background and top-secret security clearance speak to her qualifications. He criticized the notion that Gabbard may be compromised by foreign entities, stating that she would not have maintained her service or security clearance if that were the case.
Mullin suggested that Democrats are targeting Gabbard in an effort to discredit her, particularly since she left the Democratic party. He noted that while Gabbard has engaged with some Democrats, the likelihood of receiving their support in the Senate is minimal.
Addressing the delay in setting a confirmation hearing date for Gabbard, Mullin accused Democrats of stalling the process by withholding key paperwork, including an FBI background check. He warned that this delay poses a national security risk, as it hinders Trump's ability to have key advisers in place promptly after the inauguration.
Mullin also mentioned Trump's strategy of appointing Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to build a broad political coalition within his administration. Despite the challenges Gabbard faces in the confirmation process, Mullin remains steadfast in his support for her appointment.
