Tulsi Gabbard Takes Aim At Politicians In Both Parties While Explaining Why She Didn’t Call Snowden A ‘Traitor’

Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard’s Senate confirmation hearing was notable for her compelling opening statement …

One of the best opening statements I have ever heard in conformation hearings.

Tulsi Gabbard should and MUST be confirmed as DNI.

"I will do my very best to find the truth, no matter where it leads, and share that truth with President Trump."@TulsiGabbard @realDonaldTrump pic.twitter.com/PBEJ7px7tg

— Eddie Fadel (@EddieFadel) January 30, 2025

… as well as her adept response to many of the tough questions she received from senators on both sides of the aisle.

For the first time, a national US audience heard about one of the greatest natsec scandals in the 21st century, as Tulsi Gabbard detailed the CIA’s Op Timber Sycamore, which armed the org responsible for 9/11, and ultimately placed it in power in Syria pic.twitter.com/W0iFNUD7fu

— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) January 30, 2025

Much much of the mainstream media’s attention was spent covering her refusal to give into the demand to label Edward Snowden a “traitor.”

She acknowledged that former National Security Agency contractor was a criminal for leaking classified documents, but later explained why she stopped short of using the word “traitor” to describe him during the recent hearing.

According to Fox News:

Gabbard elaborated in a Newsweek op-ed. “Given the interest by committee members about whether Edward Snowden should be called a ‘traitor,’ here’s what I shared with the Senate Intelligence Committee in the closed session about why I do not casually throw around that term: Treason is a capital offense, punishable by death, yet politicians like former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former US Senator Mitt Romney have slandered me, Donald Trump Jr. and others with baseless accusations of treason.”

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“Snowden should have raised his concerns about illegal surveillance through authorized channels, such as the Inspector General or the Intelligence Committee, instead of leaking to the media,” she wrote.

Gabbard struck a different tone as a Democratic member of the House, when she introduced a resolution with former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., calling for all charges to be dropped against Snowden. She also put forth a bill that would have offered additional whistleblower protection for people like Snowden.

Gabbard is expected to face a committee vote soon, but as of this writing her chances remain uncertain:

BREAKING: TULSI GABBARD VOTE IMMINENT

RFK PASSES COMMITTEE

AMERICA IS BEING MADE GREAT AGAIN IN REALTIMEhttps://t.co/o1wvW71vqn

— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) February 4, 2025

Here’s some additional insight into the confirmation process, per The Hill:

Next, Gabbard — two biggies in one day: The Senate Intelligence Committee will vote at 2 p.m. on Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to serve as director of national intelligence. Like Kennedy, she cannot afford to lose a single Republican committee vote.

🚨 Gabbard just got an important ‘yes’ in her column: Republican Sen. Todd Young (Ind.), a former Marine who has been on the fence about Gabbard, just announced that he will vote “yes.” While Gabbard’s refusal to label Edward Snowden (the ex-NSA contractor who leaked classified documents and fled the U.S.) a traitor, kept Young from fully supporting her, he ultimately came around.

And here’s some additional analysis of the hearing:

Chanel Rion with a fantastic episode on Tulsi Gabbard @TulsiGabbard and her confirmation hearing…“She sucked the oxygen from the lungs of her very opponents… THIS is the portrait of a very powerful woman.” @ChanelRion @FinePointOAN
pic.twitter.com/cmaz3vsAbl

— NanLee Marie Carissimi (@NanLee1124) February 2, 2025