Senate Democrats have successfully stalled Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation as the director of national intelligence, requesting missing background checks and essential paperwork. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) emphasized the importance of having all required documents before proceeding with the confirmation process, particularly in the sensitive area of national security. According to Wyden, these documents are crucial, although their absence isn’t a headline-grabbing issue.
Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) acknowledged the delay, attributing it to an administrative issue with the Office of Government Ethics. Barrasso, who supports Gabbard’s nomination, reassured the public that the delay would likely extend to the following week, as he remains confident Gabbard will have the necessary backing for confirmation.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and the first Hindu American in Congress, has attracted both praise and skepticism due to her controversial stances, especially regarding her previous ties to the Bashar Assad regime in Syria and her comments perceived as sympathetic toward Russia. A vocal critic of U.S. military interventions abroad, Gabbard supported former President Trump, often aligning with his foreign policy views, which have raised concerns about her approach to national security.
Despite some GOP concerns, most Republicans have shown support for Gabbard, especially after her reversal on FISA Section 702, which allows the U.S. to conduct surveillance of non-American citizens abroad. This shift has won her praise, with Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) highlighting her pledge to maintain key national security tools while protecting American citizens’ constitutional rights.
However, Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) has expressed reservations, stating Gabbard’s lack of visibility has left him uncertain about her qualifications for the role. Curtis indicated that further information would be needed before he could commit his vote.
Confirmation hearings for Trump’s Cabinet, including nominees like Gabbard, began this week, though broader scrutiny has surrounded Gabbard and other picks like Pete Hegseth and Kash Patel. Her meetings with senators are ongoing, and some, like Mouaz Moustafa, are raising red flags regarding her history with Assad’s regime. Moustafa fears Gabbard’s stance could undermine international intelligence cooperation, particularly with allies like France and the UK. He hopes the confirmation hearings will address her controversial defense of Assad and claims about U.S. military involvement with ISIS.
