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Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri said he is “worried” that his GOP counterparts will not back Trump nominee Tulsi Gabbard for national intelligence director.
Newsweek reached out to the White House and Hawley’s office via email on Thursday night for comment.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump‘s Cabinet nominees have succeeding thus far obtaining Senate confirmation. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy secured nomination, Secretary of State Marco Rubio received a unanimous vote and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth squeaked by as Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote.
Gabbard has faced uncertain waters since Trump announced her as his pick to lead the country’s intelligence community as critics question her relationships with Russia and Syria.
What To Know
At her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, Gabbard, former Democratic U.S. representative from Hawaii, said: “Those who oppose my nomination imply that I’m loyal to something or someone other than God, my own conscious, and the Constitution of the United States.
“Accusing me of being Trump’s puppet, Putin’s puppet, Assad’s puppet, a guru’s puppet, Modi’s puppet, not recognizing the absurdity of simultaneously being the puppet of five different puppet masters,” Gabbard said in part.
Gabbard in 2022 left the Democratic Party and turned independent before joining the GOP last year.
In an interview on Fox News with Jesse Watters on Thursday after the hearing, Hawley was asked about Gabbard and said in part, “I have to tell you I’m worried by what I hear from some of my Republican colleagues, I’m worried that her nomination may be in jeopardy. And I’m just worried about what that will mean.”
Hawley added, “We need reform to stop the abuse of things like FISA Section 702. Stop spying on Americans. I hope Tulsi gets confirmed because we need that kind of reform.”
Assuming all Democrats vote against her, Gabbard can only afford to lose three Republican senators.
What People Are Saying
Political analyst and Dillard University professor Robert Collins told Newsweek via text: “There were fireworks at Tulsi Gabbard’s hearing. But I think they were all expected. Most political observers understood the controversial issues that she would be questioned about in advance. She is probably the most vulnerable of all of the Trump nominees. It will come down to the moderate Republicans like Bill Cassidy of Louisiana. The same Republicans that had issues with Pete Hegspeth [sic] had issues with Gabbard, and of course Hegspeth [sic] just barely made it through with a 50-50 vote and the vice president was required to break the tie. I think if she keeps Cassidy, she will be confirmed. If she loses Cassidy, then she’s in trouble. Right now, she appears headed for a very narrow, but successful, confirmation vote.”
Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas said on X, formerly Twitter: “I support Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to lead ODNI [Office of the Director of National Intelligence], and I look forward to working with her to overhaul and reform American’s intelligence agencies.”
Democratic Senator Michael Bennett of Colorado said on X: “Four times Tulsi Gabbard was asked if Edward Snowden is a traitor for releasing U.S. secrets & four times she declined to answer Democrats or Republicans. Anyone who refuses to label a traitor to the U.S. as a traitor is completely unqualified to lead our intelligence community.”
Senate Republicans’ official account on X said: “Lt. Colonel Tulsi Gabbard’s top priority as Director of National Intelligence will be protecting Americans.
“That’s why she has the support of so many current and former intelligence officials.”
What Happens Next
Gabbard’s confirmation vote will be held at a later date.