Lindsey Graham backs Tulsi Gabbard after voicing concerns about her

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Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, backed former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick for the director of national intelligence (DNI), on Fox News on Sunday morning after voicing concerns about her last week.

Newsweek has reached out to Graham’s office via telephone for comment on Sunday.

Why It Matters

Gabbard’s nomination quickly became one of Trump’s most debated Cabinet picks, with critics accusing her of previously voicing pro-Russian points and raising concerns about her visit with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017 when she was serving as a congresswoman.

If Gabbard’s nomination moves to a full Senate floor vote, she can only afford to lose up to three Republican votes, assuming all Democrats vote against her. Republican Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Todd Young of Indiana and Jerry Moran of Kansas are among those who could derail Gabbard’s nomination by voting to block her confirmation.

What To Know

When asked by host Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday whether he would vote to confirm Gabbard’s nomination to the Senate floor, Graham, a Trump ally, said: “Yeah, I’ll be a yes on her.”

The senator said he was waiting to hear her answers about Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows intelligence agencies to collect information from foreign targets living abroad.

“I’ve actually served in a Reserve unit with Tulsi. I’ve always liked her. I think a lot of her criticism against her has been really mean and off-base,” he told Bream. “She’s shown her understanding of how vital 702 is.”

Gabbard is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve. Graham retired as a colonel and a part-time attorney for the Air Force Reserve in 2015.

What Did Graham Say About Gabbard Last Week?

During an appearance on NBC News’ Meet the Press last Sunday, host Kristen Welker asked Graham: “Do you trust Tulsi Gabbard with the nation’s most closely held secrets?”

Graham responded: “I tend to vote for almost everybody in both parties, but I want to see how the hearing goes. Why did you go to Syria? What did you do regarding Assad? Why do you think Edward Snowden should be held as a hero? I certainly don’t.”

Former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be director of national intelligence, testifies during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on January 30 in Washington, D.C.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

How Did Gabbard Respond to Controversial Questions at Her Hearing?

Gabbard was grilled at her confirmation hearing held by the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday.

In her opening statement, she made clear that she has “no love for Assad or any dictator.”

Defending her meeting with Assad, Gabbard said: “I believe that leaders, whether you be in Congress or the president of the United States, can benefit greatly by going and engaging boots on the ground, learning and listening and meeting directly with people, whether they be adversaries or friends.”

During the hearing, Senator James Lankford, an Oklahoma Republican, repeatedly asked her to call Edward Snowden, a former national security contractor who leaked classified data in 2013 and then took refuge in Russia, a traitor.

As a congresswoman in 2020, Gabbard introduced legislation calling for all charges against Snowden, which included espionage, to be dismissed.

“I have shown throughout my almost 22 years of service in the military as well as my time in Congress how seriously I take the privilege of having access to classified information and our nation’s secrets. And that’s why I’m committed if confirmed as director of national intelligence to join you in making sure there is no future Snowden-type leak,” Gabbard said, falling short of calling Snowden a traitor.

Moran said to Gabbard in the hearing: “I want to make certain that in no way does Russia get a pass in either your mind or your heart, or in any policy recommendation you might make or not make.”

Gabbard said she was “offended” by Moran’s comments “because my sole focus, commitment and responsibility is about our own nation, our own security and the interests of the American people.”

What People Are Saying

Political analyst and Dillard University professor Robert Collins previously told Newsweek: “She [Gabbard] is probably the most vulnerable of all the Trump nominees. It will come down to the moderate Republicans like Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.”

He added: “The same Republicans that had issues with [Defense Secretary] Pete Hegseth have issues with Gabbard, and of course, Hegseth just barely made it through with a 50-50 vote. 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.”

Senator Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, told Fox News on Thursday: “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.”

What Happens Next

The Senate Intelligence Committee is expected to vote soon on whether to proceed with Gabbard’s confirmation.

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