In 2020, then-Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard introduced legislation calling on the federal government to drop all charges against Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency contractor who in 2013 revealed the existence of the bulk collection of American phone records by the NSA before fleeing to Russia.
Gabbard was questioned by Republicans and Democrats alike on her views of Snowden and whether she believes he was a traitor. She declined to say she believed he was a traitor, repeating that she felt he had broken the law and reiterating a point that she has made in the past, that he exposed practices that have resulted in the reform of 702.
Testimony by President Trump’s pick for intelligence chief adds uncertainty to her prospects to be confirmed.
Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, clashed with Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) over Edward Snowden at her confirmation hearing. SEN. MARK WARNER (D-VA): And, Ms.
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick to be Director of National Intelligence, refused to call Edward Snowden a traitor at her confirmation hearing.
Senators are expected to ask about her defense of the former government contractor, who released reams of data on U.S. surveillance programs and fled to Russia.
President Donald Trump's choice to direct U.S. intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, faces a Senate panel that is divided over its position on her nomination in a confirmation hearing on Thursday.
Senators questioned Gabbard about views seen as echoing Russia's justification of its war, criticism of US involvement in Syria and a 2017 meeting with Bashar al-Assad.
Director of national intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard’s views on former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden and his theft of more than a million classified documents mushroomed
Does the U.S. want a director of national intelligence who excuses mass leaking of secrets?
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence, was asked numerous times during her confirmation hearing whether she believes Edward Snowden is a traitor to the US.