Will Tulsi Gabbard survive the Senate confirmation battle and make it to Trump 2.0?

United States President Donald Trump’s nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) has turned heads in Washington DC.

The former US Representative from Hawaii and combat veteran, once a Democrat and now a Republican, has faced strong scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum.

With concerns over her views on Edward Snowden, Russia, and her lack of deep intelligence experience, Gabbard’s path to confirmation remains uncertain.

A rocky confirmation hearing

Gabbard’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee became a flashpoint of controversy, with senators questioning her past positions on key national security issues.

One of the most contentious moments came when she repeatedly refused to directly answer whether Edward Snowden was a traitor.

Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) pressed her on the issue, but Gabbard avoided a definitive response, stating: “My heart is with my commitment to our Constitution and our nation’s security.”

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When Lankford repeated the question, she maintained her focus on preventing future intelligence leaks, saying: “Senator, I’m focused on the future and how we can prevent something like this from happening again.”

Gabbard’s evasiveness raised alarms, with some senators expressing frustration over her unwillingness to take a clear stance. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) reacted sharply, saying: “That is not a hard question to answer when the stakes are this high.”

Her past support for Snowden was also scrutinised. During her 2020 Democratic presidential run, Gabbard had called Snowden a “brave whistleblower” and said she would pardon him if elected.

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At the hearing, she attempted to walk a fine line, acknowledging that Snowden broke the law while also defending his disclosures for exposing “egregious, illegal, and unconstitutional programs.”

This response did little to reassure senators like Mark Warner (D-Va.), who pressed her on the message it would send to intelligence personnel if the country’s top spy chief had defended someone who leaked classified information.

The White House was reportedly “rattled” by Gabbard’s handling of the Snowden questions, with Trump himself taking notice. According to sources familiar with the White House’s thinking, Trump watched a clip of the hearing and wondered aloud how her lack of a clear answer would impact her confirmation chances, reported NBC News.

Concerns over Russia & Foreign policy

Beyond Snowden, Gabbard faced tough questioning on her foreign policy views, particularly regarding Russia and Syria .

She has previously expressed scepticism about US involvement in Ukraine and Syria, at times appearing to echo Russian talking points.

US Senator Mark Warner confronted her over past statements in which she suggested NATO bore some responsibility for Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also questioned her refusal to accept US intelligence findings that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons against his own people.

Republican Senator Jerry Moran also raised concerns about her views on Russia, pointedly asking that he wanted to ensure that “in no way does Russia get a pass in either your mind or your heart or in any policy recommendation you would make or not make.”

Gabbard responded, saying that she was “offended by that question” and that “if confirmed, no country, group, or individual will get a pass.”

Her critics worry that her past positions could undermine trust in the intelligence community, which has consistently identified Russia as a key adversary to US interests.

Senate vote on a knife’s edge

The Senate Intelligence Committee is set to vote on Gabbard’s nomination on Tuesday. With a narrow 9-8 Republican majority on the committee, she cannot afford to lose a single GOP vote if all members are present.

Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), the committee chairman and a strong Trump ally, has been working behind the scenes to secure support for Gabbard. He has downplayed concerns over her past views, calling them “unconventional,” but arguing that “maybe Washington could use a little more unconventional thinking.”

However, Gabbard’s confirmation remains precarious. Republican senators James Lankford and Todd Young (R-Ind.) have not yet publicly committed to supporting her. Lankford, who previously indicated he was a “yes” vote, appeared shaken after the hearing, telling reporters: “I think there are a lot of questions after.”

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) also voiced concerns, saying: “I am worried that her nomination may be in jeopardy.”

Meanwhile, Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), a moderate who has been willing to break with Trump on key votes, was more measured in her response. After questioning Gabbard about Snowden, Collins said she was satisfied with Gabbard’s assurance that she would not advocate for clemency or a pardon.

Collins said she “was happy with her responses to my questions, including the question of whether she would recommend a pardon of Edward Snowden, where she clearly said ‘no.’”

White House strategy & MAGA tensions

The White House is standing firmly behind Gabbard, with Trump personally backing her despite the controversy. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement reaffirming Trump’s confidence in her, saying: “President Trump nominated Tulsi Gabbard because he believes she will do an excellent job as the Director of National Intelligence, and we expect the Senate to confirm her.”

Behind the scenes, Trump allies are preparing to put pressure on Republican senators to secure their votes. Sources indicate that the White House is closely monitoring which GOP senators support or oppose her nomination.

Billionaire Elon Musk has also inserted himself into the debate. Over the weekend, Musk took to social media to criticise Senator Todd Young, calling him a “deep state puppet” for his tough questioning of Gabbard.

He later deleted the post and softened his tone, but the incident highlighted the growing tensions within the Republican Party over the nomination.

US Vice President JD Vance has reportedly spoken with Young to discuss his concerns, though it remains unclear whether Young will ultimately back Gabbard.

Will Tulsi Gabbard make it to Trump 2.0?

If Gabbard manages to pass the Intelligence Committee vote, she will still face a tough battle on the Senate floor. With Democrats expected to unanimously oppose her, she can afford to lose only three Republican votes before her nomination fails.

Her situation echoes that of Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for US Secretary of Defence, who faced a similarly difficult confirmation process. Hegseth ultimately required a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Vance after three GOP senators joined Democrats in opposing him.

A senior Republican Senate aide remains optimistic about Gabbard’s chances, telling NBC News: “Her challenges with members are all fixable.”

But with key Republican senators still undecided and concerns about her foreign policy stances lingering, the outcome remains highly uncertain.

Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as Director of National Intelligence has become one of the most closely watched confirmation battles of Trump’s second term. While she has secured backing from Trump and key allies like Tom Cotton, her past views on Snowden, Russia, and foreign policy have created significant hurdles.

With the Intelligence Committee set to vote, Gabbard’s fate hangs in the balance. If she survives the committee stage, a full Senate vote will determine whether she takes on one of the most sensitive roles in the US government.

With inputs from agencies