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 questioned whether she still believed Snowden should be pardoned because she had formerly called him “brave.” Gabbard answered,” Snowden broke the law, but he also exposed severe, illegal and unconstitutional security action”.
“Edward Snowden is a traitor”, he said, pushing Gabbard to get a distinct status. But she tried to keep to her position, repeating that Snowden’s steps were improper.
She later said if confirmed, she would never recommend a reprimand for Snowden. Nevertheless, she promised to increase whistleblower safeguards within the knowledge society. She argued that those in the brains industry should be aware of their right as reporters.
Gabbard, a commander captain in the National Guard, has military knowledge but no official history in knowledge. She has always led a government agency, making her election controversial. She recently served in Hawaii’s congressional system and ran for president in 2020.
