Synopsis
In a recent Senate hearing, Tulsi Gabbard asserted her independence, stating she is not a puppet for any leader, while expressing her disdain for Al Qaeda and criticizing U.S. foreign policy regarding dictators. Gabbard, a military veteran and former Congresswoman, faces scrutiny over her controversial stances.Key Takeaways
- Tulsi Gabbard's strong stance against Al Qaeda
- Rejection of accusations regarding loyalty to foreign leaders
- Criticism of U.S. foreign policy decisions
- Commitment to restoring trust in intelligence
- Advocacy for Hindu rights amidst religious bigotry
Washington, Jan 31 (NationPress) Tulsi Gabbard informed US Senators during a hearing for her confirmation as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) that she has no affection for Assad, Gaddafi, or any dictator, contradicting claims from her critics, stating, I merely despise Al Qaeda.
Gabbard encountered challenging inquiries from Senators, including Republicans, who hold a majority in the US Senate, as well as Democrats, regarding various issues on which she has previously expressed views that diverge from the current administration.
She refuted allegations that Assad had employed chemical weapons against his citizens and declared that aiding in the removal of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt was a misstep.
Additionally, she responded to queries concerning her past support for Edward Snowden, the NSA contractor responsible for leaking numerous classified documents, who currently resides in Russia, along with her viewpoints regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In her opening remarks, she vehemently criticized her detractors.
Those opposing my nomination suggest that I am beholden to entities other than God, my own conscience, and the US Constitution, accusing me of being a puppet for Trump, Putin, or Assad,” she stated.
I harbor no fondness for Assad, Gaddafi, or any dictator, she reiterated.
I simply loathe Al Qaeda. I resent leaders who become close to Islamist extremists, downplaying them as mere rebels.
A military veteran, Gabbard serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the army reserve and has held multiple terms in the House of Representatives as a Democrat.
She previously contested for the Democratic presidential nomination, losing to Joe Biden in 2020. Following this, she endorsed President Donald Trump's second campaign for the presidency, and after his election, accepted his nomination to become the Director of National Intelligence, overseeing the US intelligence community, which includes 18 agencies and organizations such as the CIA, NSA, FBI, and Defence Intelligence Agency.
Listing various intelligence failures, including the Iraq war and the politicization and weaponization of the intelligence community, such as the investigation of President Trump's initial campaign, Gabbard remarked, President Trump's re-election signifies a clear mandate from the American populace to disrupt this cycle of failure, halt the politicization and weaponization of intelligence, and restore trust in those responsible for securing our nation.
She added, If confirmed as DNI, I will strive diligently to meet this mandate and lead the intelligence community with a sharp focus on our fundamental mission, ensuring the safety, security, and liberty of the American populace as the President's primary intelligence advisor.
Additionally, Gabbard condemned those targeting her faith, as she is Hindu.
Regrettably, they are once again wielding the card of religious bigotry, attempting to incite bias against Hindus and Hinduism. If anyone genuinely wishes to learn more about my personal spiritual journey in Hinduism, I invite you to visit my account on X, where I will share more on this subject.
