President Donald Trump's chances of getting former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard confirmed as director of national intelligence received a boost Monday as Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) indicated she will support her nomination.
"As one of the principal authors of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that established this coordinating position, I understand the critical role the DNI plays in the intelligence community," said Collins in a statement. "The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, however, has become far larger than it was designed to be, and Ms. Gabbard shares my vision of returning the agency to its intended size."
Collins said Gabbard "addressed my concerns" about her views supporting Edward Snowden, the former contractor who exposed national security secrets and fled to Russia.
Collins' position on Gabbard, who has frequently been described as a conspiracy theorist for her embrace of Russian propaganda, drew cheers and praise from Trump supporters on social media — and condemnation from almost everyone else.
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"Why bother even being a Senator if you think Tulsi Gabbard is fit for DNI?" wrote Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL). "Just admit you're a g-d rubber stamp for a felonious rapist."
"This is not good," wrote American Enterprise Institute leadership fellow Andrew Eastmond. "Susan Collins spine appears to have gone the way of Lindsey Graham's. Maybe the ghost of McCain needs to pay them a visit..."
"Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic," wrote Bridgeport, Pennsylvania Councilman Tony Heyl.
"GOP senators fall into line. Again," wrote former MSNBC commentator Mehdi Hasan.
"Susan Collins continues to prove herself a classically trained clown," wrote former President Barack Obama adviser T.J. Adams-Falconer.
