• Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, faces Senate skepticism over her limited intelligence experience and a controversial 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
• Despite ongoing meetings with lawmakers, including key Republican and Democratic senators, no public endorsements have been made, raising doubts about her confirmation.
• Concerns center on Gabbard’s qualifications for overseeing 18 intelligence agencies and her judgment in foreign policy, leaving her confirmation process uncertain.

Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence (DNI), is facing growing doubts in the Senate about her qualifications. Reports suggest concerns over her limited intelligence background and a controversial 2017 meeting with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Despite ongoing meetings with key lawmakers, no senator has publicly committed to supporting her nomination.

Gabbard Responds to Confirmation Concerns

On Wednesday, Gabbard pushed back against claims that support for her confirmation is faltering. Speaking to ABC News, she dismissed the reports, which cited anonymous sources, as baseless. “I don’t make anything of reports with anonymous sources,” Gabbard said. While she acknowledged there is still a long way to go, she expressed optimism about the confirmation process, emphasizing her continued engagement with senators.

However, concerns persist. For instance, a Reuters report on Tuesday indicated that eight Republican senators have expressed doubts about Gabbard’s readiness for the critical DNI role. The report, citing individuals familiar with the situation, highlighted her meeting with Assad and her lack of intelligence experience as key sticking points. Similarly, a report last week by The Hill outlined difficulties between Gabbard and senators, suggesting hesitancy from multiple lawmakers about her suitability for the position.

Gabbard’s Efforts to Build Support

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To address these concerns, Gabbard has been meeting lawmakers from both parties in recent weeks. On Tuesday, she held discussions with Republican Senators Susan Collins, Chuck Grassley, Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan, and Rand Paul, along with Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff. These meetings are part of her efforts to build support ahead of her confirmation hearing.

For example, Collins, a key Republican senator, described her meeting with Gabbard as “broad and wide-ranging.” However, she declined to state her position, noting she would review the FBI background report and attend the confirmation hearing before deciding. “As the co-author of the 2004 law that created the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, I have a very strong interest in this position,” Collins said, signaling the importance of the role to her.

Key Issues Blocking Confirmation

Meanwhile, two primary issues dominate the Senate’s concerns. First, Gabbard’s limited experience in intelligence matters has drawn scrutiny. The DNI oversees 18 federal intelligence agencies and plays a crucial role in national security. Consequently, many senators believe the position requires extensive expertise, which they argue Gabbard lacks.

Second, her 2017 trip to Syria, during which she met with Assad, has raised eyebrows among both Republicans and Democrats. Critics argue the meeting legitimized a leader accused of human rights violations, including chemical attacks on civilians. As a result, this controversy has fueled bipartisan doubts about her judgment in foreign policy and intelligence matters.

The Path Forward for Gabbard

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Given these concerns, Gabbard has been put on the defensive. While she has sought to highlight her leadership skills and willingness to work across party lines, the questions surrounding her qualifications and past actions have made her confirmation process an uphill battle.

In order for Gabbard to win Senate approval, the Trump administration will need to address lawmakers’ concerns directly. Building bipartisan support is critical, especially given the slim Republican majority in the Senate. Furthermore, Gabbard, for her part, plans to continue meeting with senators to persuade them of her qualifications and suitability for the role.

Ultimately, time will tell if her efforts pay off. With skepticism lingering and no clear endorsements from key senators, the path to confirmation remains uncertain. Therefore, Gabbard’s ability to respond effectively to criticisms and demonstrate her readiness for the DNI position will ultimately decide whether she can secure the votes needed to move forward.

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