Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s choice to lead US intelligence, came under scrutiny during her Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday. Democratic Senator Mark Warner, pressed her on her past comments about Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked classified details of US surveillance programmes.
Warner reminded Gabbard that she had previously called Snowden “brave” and questioned whether she still believed he should be pardoned. Gabbard answered, “Snowden broke the law, but he also exposed egregious, illegal and unconstitutional surveillance activity.”
“Edward Snowden is a traitor,” he said, pushing Gabbard to take a clear position. But she tried to stick to her stance, repeating that Snowden’s actions were illegal.
She later said if confirmed, she would not recommend a pardon for Snowden. However, she promised to improve whistleblower protections within the intelligence community. She said that people working in intelligence should know their rights as whistleblowers.
Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard, has military experience but no formal background in intelligence. She has never led a government agency, making her nomination controversial. She previously served in Congress from Hawaii and ran for president in 2020.