Tulsi Gabbard Faces Roadblocks on Way to Become Top US Spy
Tulsi Gabbad at Akshardham Temple Image credit X.com @TulsiGabbad
Eight Republicans Wary of Supporting Tulsi Gabbard: Report
By Manish Anand
New Delhi, December 19: Tulsi Gabbard, military veteran and former Democratic representative from Hawaii, has run into roadblocks on way to gain the Senate confirmation to becoming the Director of the US National Intelligence. Gabbard has kicked off her outreach to senators to persuade a change of perception about her nomination.
The US President-elect Donald Trump nominated Gabbard for the top spy post to set a storm of criticism within his party. Reports said that at least eight Republicans could vote against Gabbard during Senate confirmation.
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Three issues are haunting Gabbard as she intensifies her outreach to the Republican senators. In 2017, Gabbard had met Syrian ruler Bassar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after Türkiye-backed anti-regime rebels captured power in Damascus.
Gabbard is a turncoat who quit Democrats to endorse Trump. She is also seen soft on Russia. Reports said that a section of the Republicans also question her lack of experience in handling intelligence in the past.
Her nomination invited protests from over 100 military veterans who signed a letter against Trump’s top intelligence pick. But Trump is backing Gabbard and he has begun lending his strength to campaign to back his pick for intelligence.
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“Here are now 1,100+ veterans who have signed the letter supporting Gabbard as President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence — up from 250 veterans last week,” said the Trump War Room in a post on X. Trump recently hosted all his nominees at his box to brainstorm transition and way forward.
“I believe that it’s appropriate and the responsibility of a U.S. Senator to have a conversation with President-elect Trump’s nominees. That’s why I met with Elise Stefanik and Pete Hegseth, just wrapped with Tulsi Gabbard, and look forward to my meetings with others soon,” said John Fetterman, US Senator from Pennsylvania. He added: “My votes will come from an open-mind and an informed opinion after having a conversation with them.”
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Gabbard is hopeful that she will get the requisite support after her meetings with Senators. But Hindu Right-Wing influencers claim that she is facing a conspiracy due to her religion.
Rajiv Malhotra, a US-based right-wing thinker, said: “Hindu Americans must stand up for Tulsi Gabbard…The attack on Tulsi, because she is a Hindu worshipping Sri Krishna, is outrageous. Branding Hinduism as a cult is something the liberal media ought to be ashamed of.” Malhotra posted a video message on X in support of Gabbard.
The US Congress now has scale leaning in favour of the Republicans 53:47. But a report from Reuters claimed that eight Republicans such as Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis and Mitch McConnell, could vote against Gabbard.
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The US-based commentators are wondering if Gabbard will be able to win over a few Democrats to compensate for the lack of support from some of the Republicans. Gabbard will need at least three more Senators to back her if eight Republicans don’t change their opposition to her.
The alternative media in the US is backing Gabbard. Tucker Carlson, the popular podcaster, and economist Geoffery Sachs in a conversation said that Gabbard is the “most important pick of Trump in his second administration”.
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