Both Democrats and Republicans have problems with former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat-turned-Republican that Donald Trump has nominated to serve as the Director of National Intelligence.
Several Senators in the Intelligence Committee confirmation hearing demanded answers from Gabbard on her past support of Edward Snowden, who leaked classified information and then fled the United States.
Gabbard authored legislation to have Snowden pardoned.
Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) asked Gabbard, "Was he a traitor when he took America's secret and then ran to China and became a Russian citizen?"
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Gabbard repeated a line she wrote in her opening statement, saying that Snowden "broke the law." She refused to say whether or not she continued to support him or agree with his actions.
The evasion appeared to annoy Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) to the extent that he began yelling.
"Was Edward Snowden a traitor to the United States of America?" Bennet questioned.
Gabbard would only repeat her line, "he broke the law."
"You said you were offended by a question my colleague from Kansas asked as his duty as someone on this committee to fulfill his responsibility to advise and consent. We are not here to be a rubber stamp for the president! Let me ask you again, do you believe, as the chairman of this committee believes, as the vast majority of members of our intelligence agency believes, that Edward Snowden was a traitor to the United States of America? This is when the rubber hits the road."
Gabbard refused again to answer "yes," saying only that she would "work with" the Senate on whistleblower issues.
"This is not a moment for social media!" Bennet hammered. "It is not a moment to propagate conspiracy theories or attacks on journalism in the United States. This is when you need to answer the questions of the people whose votes you are asking for to be confirmed as the chief intelligence officer of this nation. As my colleague said, this is not about you! It is about the people who serve the intelligence agencies of the united States. 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!"
See the moment below or at the link.
- YouTubeyoutu.be
