Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard refused to retract her support for Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who fled to Russia after revealing illegal government surveillance methods.
Democratic Sen. Mark Warner asked Gabbard at her confirmation hearing if she stood by her decision, especially considering that both Democrats and Republicans in the panel deem Snowden a traitor. To illustrate the stance, Warner quoted Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton, who said Snowden is an "egotistical liar and a traitor who deserves to rot in jail for the rest of his life."
Gabbard refused to agree, saying that "Edward Snowden broke the law.," and even though she does not "agree with all the information he released nor in the way he did it," he "released information that exposed egregious illegal and unconstitutional programs happening within our government."
Warner criticized the response, noting that Gabbard was refusing to give a straight answer on whether she continued to support Snowden or stand by the legislation she introduced. "I just don't believe on your judgement and credibility," Warner finished after criticizing other stances of Gabbard.
Back in 2019, Gabbard said "if it wasn't for Snowden, the American people would never have learned the NSA was collecting phone records and spying on Americans. As president, I will protect whistle-blowers who expose threats to our freedom and liberty."
Republican Senator Susan Collins also weighed in on the matter, asking Gabbard if she would support pardoning Snowden. The nominee said she wouldn't.
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