During Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing for the position of director of national intelligence, tensions rose as Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Co., pressed her for a clear stance on Edward Snowden. Gabbard's responses to questions regarding Snowden's actions as a potential traitor were deemed veiled and unsatisfactory by Bennet.
When asked directly if she considered Snowden a traitor, Gabbard responded by stating, 'Senator, if confirmed as director of national intelligence I will work with you to make sure there is not another Snowden-like leak.' However, this response did not appease Bennet, who emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in such a critical role.
Bennet expressed his concerns by stating, 'You need to answer the questions of the people whose votes you're asking for to be confirmed as the chief intelligence officer of this nation. Is Edward Snowden a traitor to the United States of America? That is not a hard question to answer when the stakes are this high!'
The exchange highlighted the significance of addressing past controversies and ensuring a commitment to upholding national security interests. As the confirmation process unfolded, the scrutiny on Gabbard's responses underscored the need for clarity and decisiveness in matters of intelligence and national defense.
