Several of former President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees faced intense scrutiny during their confirmation hearings on Thursday. Among the most closely watched were Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, and Kash Patel, his pick for FBI Director. Both nominees encountered sharp questioning from Democrats and Republicans on a range of controversial issues, from past political associations to their stance on national security matters.
Democrats Probe Gabbard’s Ties to Putin
Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who later endorsed Trump in 2024, was grilled over her past remarks about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Democrats on the Senate Intelligence Committee pressed her on statements that seemed to align with Russian talking points, particularly her assertion that President Vladimir Putin had “legitimate security concerns” over NATO expansion.
Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado highlighted how Gabbard’s past comments were amplified by Russian state media, which referred to her as “our friend Tulsi.” He accused her of justifying Putin’s actions, suggesting that she had lent credibility to Russia’s propaganda. Gabbard, a military veteran with no formal intelligence experience, pushed back, insisting that her remarks had been mischaracterized and that she had always supported a strong U.S. stance against authoritarian regimes.
Gabbard Avoids Direct Answer on Snowden Support
A bipartisan group of lawmakers questioned Gabbard about her long-standing support for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, who leaked classified U.S. surveillance data in 2013. While Snowden claimed to have exposed illegal government spying, critics argue his actions jeopardized national security.
Gabbard previously referred to Snowden as “brave” and had advocated for his pardon, a stance that came under renewed scrutiny during the hearing. However, when asked directly whether she still considered Snowden a patriot or a traitor, she dodged a clear answer. Instead, she acknowledged that he had broken the law but emphasized that preventing similar intelligence leaks would be a top priority if confirmed. Her reluctance to fully disavow Snowden appeared to create discomfort among some Republican senators who had initially been inclined to support her nomination.
Patel Grilled Over Support for Capitol Rioters
Kash Patel, a former federal prosecutor and longtime Trump loyalist, faced heated questioning over his past statements and actions related to the January 6 Capitol riots. Democratic senators took issue with Patel’s role in promoting a charity song recorded by incarcerated rioters, including individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers.
Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois directly confronted Patel about Trump’s controversial pardons for some January 6 defendants. Patel, while stating that he opposed violence against police officers, repeatedly declined to criticize Trump’s decision to grant clemency. His refusal to distance himself from Trump’s handling of the riots raised concerns among lawmakers who fear his leadership at the FBI could be influenced by political bias rather than a commitment to impartial law enforcement.
Patel Strikes a Moderate Tone on FBI Reform
Despite his past criticism of the FBI, Patel presented a more restrained and moderate stance during his hearing. He acknowledged declining public trust in the agency and emphasized his commitment to addressing violent crime, which he described as “exploding in this country.” He pledged to uphold the FBI’s core mission of investigating crimes based on constitutional and factual grounds.
However, Democrats remained skeptical, pointing to Patel’s history of promoting conspiracy theories, including his claims about a “deep state” within the U.S. government. His book, Government Gangsters, which accused intelligence agencies of undermining Trump, was cited as evidence of his willingness to politicize federal law enforcement. Patel’s past alignment with the QAnon movement also raised red flags, though he largely avoided discussing those associations during the hearing.
As the Senate deliberates on these high-stakes confirmations, both Gabbard and Patel face uphill battles in securing enough votes for approval. Their hearings underscored the ongoing partisan divisions in Washington and the lingering controversies surrounding Trump’s influence on national security and law enforcement.
