Tulsi Gabbard, the nominee for director of national intelligence (DNI) under President Donald Trump, has recently penned an opinion piece to clarify her stance on Edward Snowden, aiming to alleviate senators' concerns regarding her nomination.
During her confirmation hearing, Gabbard refrained from labeling Snowden as a 'traitor,' a decision that raised eyebrows among some Republicans. While acknowledging the harm caused to national security by Snowden's leak of classified information, Gabbard highlighted the revelation of illegal government surveillance programs targeting American citizens.
In her op-ed, Gabbard explained her reluctance to brand Snowden as a traitor, emphasizing the gravity of the term 'treason' as a capital offense punishable by death. She also criticized baseless accusations of treason directed at herself and others by prominent figures.
Despite not condoning Snowden's unauthorized disclosure of classified data, Gabbard previously collaborated with Rep. Matt Gaetz on a resolution advocating for the dismissal of charges against Snowden and proposed legislation to enhance whistleblower protections.
Gabbard's commitment, if confirmed as DNI, includes establishing a direct hotline for whistleblowers while reinforcing oversight to prevent illegal intelligence operations. She pledged to curb the politicization of intelligence agencies, citing the Iraq War as a cautionary example of intelligence failures.
While facing scrutiny over her interactions with Bashar al-Assad, past FISA stance, and views on Russia, Gabbard has garnered support from key Republican senators like Tom Cotton, who chairs the Intelligence Committee. Sen. Todd Young, initially hesitant, announced his backing following assurances on Gabbard's whistleblower policies.
Despite the need for unanimous Republican support in the committee, Gabbard has secured endorsements from senators like James Lankford, John Cornyn, and Susan Collins. However, she still awaits backing from influential figures such as Mitch McConnell, Jerry Moran, Lisa Murkowski, and John Curtis.
Gabbard's multifaceted approach to intelligence reform and whistleblower protection continues to shape the discourse surrounding her nomination, with the Senate's decision poised to determine the future of the DNI position.
