Gabbard kicks off Capitol meetings amid questions on Syria

Tulsi Gabbard faces a key week on Capitol Hill as she makes the rounds with senators to try to assuage their concerns and win confirmation to lead America’s national intelligence apparatus.

Gabbard, who represented Hawaii in the House as a Democrat, has flown under the radar in recent weeks, particularly focusing on former Rep. Matt Gaetz’s (R-Fla.) bid to become attorney general general and the nomination of Pete Hegseth to lead. the pentagon

But he faces a flurry of questions from Senate Republicans about his past statements about Russia and about a 2017 visit to Syria, during which he declared that now-ousted President Bashar Assad was not an “enemy” of the US, issues which have become more prominent. since rebels took control of Damascus over the weekend.

“There are a lot of questions that need to be answered,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.), a member of the Republican leadership.

“I’m sure he can answer those questions,” Capito continued, adding that Gabbard has not spoken publicly about these issues with enough specificity, including about Syria. “For a lot of people … it’s too vague to really form an opinion, so it really has to get out (out there).”

Gabbard began her meetings Monday with a trio of Senate Republicans, including Sens. James Lankford (Oklahoma) and Mike Rounds (Sd.), both of whom sit on the Senate Intelligence Committee and will help control her fate.

But the key to whether he succeeds or fails is his ability to assuage skepticism from some corners of the GOP conference.

Unlike much of the MAGA verse, Senate Republicans remain largely supportive of Ukraine, and the conference includes a number of defense hawks whose views clash directly with Gabbard’s comments in recent years seen as sympathetic to Russia. Russian state media have also praised his selection.

But Trump World seems willing to go to the mat to defend it, especially as some of President-elect Trump’s picks have pulled out and others remain in troubled waters.

“I think she’s great. I support her 100 percent. A lot of people have a problem with some of the things she’s done,” said Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), who served alongside her in the House. .

He noted his status as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army and that he was in Oklahoma over the weekend on a training assignment.

“I think he knows what he has to do and his foreign policy, I bet you, will align with the leadership of this country. I remind you that he is able to serve the country in the Army and we are saying that now we are concerned her position because she’s been nominated by DNI? It’s a no-brainer for me. She would be wonderful in that position.”

His supporters also criticize calls from Democrats and detractors who argue he is a security risk and cannot pass a background check.

“That’s bulls—,” said Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska.), noting his military status and that he already has Top Secret clearance. “There’s a lot of hyperbole out there.”

The timing of his Capitol Hill tour, however, could not have been worse after the Assad regime faltered in recent days after rebels took Damascus, forcing the dictator to flee the country. Moscow confirmed that he was granted asylum in Russia after his 24-year reign ended.

Both senators and aides admitted that the nascent problems in the region have created a new batch of headaches for the former congresswoman from Hawaii.

“Let’s get it straight,” Capito said of Gabbard’s past claim that Assad was not an “enemy” of the United States, but added that his views on Syria are not disqualifying.

Gabbard herself also sought to quell questions about Assad and Syria, telling reporters after meeting with Lankford that she supported Trump’s calls for the U.S. stay out of the fightin the region, and that there should be one immediate cease firebetween Russia and Ukraine and negotiations begin in the short term.

“I fully support and fully agree with the statements that President Trump has made over the last few days regarding the developments in Syria,” he said.

“My own views and experiences have been shaped by my multiple deployments, and seeing firsthand the cost of war, the threat of Islamist terrorism is one of the many reasons I appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his choice because he is fully committed, as he has said over and over again, to end wars, demonstrate peace through force and put the interests of national security and safety, security and the America’s freedom first,” he added.

Gabbard is one of several nominees who have questions surrounding him ahead of next month’s confirmation, along with Hegseth, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.) to become secretary of Labor.

But even those inclined to support him admitted they still want answers on some issues. Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC), the third GOP member to meet with Gabbard on Monday, told reporters the two had a “good meeting” but that he has more questions for her in the coming days.

“I’ve always liked it,” Graham said, although he noted that he opposed the order to kill Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

“I’m going to ask him some questions about his thinking,” Graham said. “I’ll give him a chance to have a few days to let it all go.”

TRY TRY

Source link