Donald Trump’s most contentious Cabinet picks—Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard, and Kash Patel—came under intense scrutiny during their confirmation hearings. Gabbard, tapped for Director of National Intelligence, Patel, nominated to lead the FBI, and Kennedy, chosen to head the Department of Health and Human Services, all faced a grilling from lawmakers as they navigated tough questions about their qualifications and views.
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Top Highlights from the Intense Confirmation Hearings You Need to Know
Tulsi Gabbard Addresses Her Controversial Comments on Russia
“Tulsi Gabbard Defends U.S. Loyalty Amid Tough Russia Questioning: ‘No One Will Get a Pass’”
During her confirmation hearing, Tulsi Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, firmly stood by her dedication to the U.S. when challenged by Senator Jerry Moran. The Kansas Republican questioned whether she would allow Russia to “get a pass” in her policies. Gabbard, visibly frustrated, swiftly responded, expressing her offense and asserting, “If confirmed, no country, group, or individual will get a pass.”
“Senator Michael Bennet Calls Out Tulsi Gabbard’s Pro-Russia Tweet, Cites Her Comments on Russian State TV”
Democratic Senator Michael Bennet raised concerns over a tweet from Tulsi Gabbard, in which she suggested the war in Ukraine could have been avoided if the Biden administration and NATO had addressed Russia’s security concerns regarding Ukraine’s potential NATO membership. Bennet also highlighted that Russian state TV aired her comments, referring to her as “our friend Tulsi,” intensifying the scrutiny surrounding her stance.
Tulsi Gabbard Opens Up About 2017 Meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad
In 2017, Tulsi Gabbard’s visit to Syria for a meeting with President Bashar Assad sparked outrage across both parties, with critics accusing her of legitimizing a leader labeled a war criminal and an ally of Russia and Iran. However, during her confirmation hearing, Gabbard stood her ground, defending the trip by stating that she posed “tough questions” to Assad about his regime’s actions.
Tulsi Gabbard Shares Her Views on Edward Snowden and His Controversial Leaks
“Tulsi Gabbard Grilled Over Her Past Support for Edward Snowden During Confirmation Hearing”
Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democratic U.S. House representative, came under fire for her previous defense of Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle sharply criticized her stance, raising tough questions about her support for Snowden’s controversial actions.