Tulsi Gabbard refuses to call Edward Snowden a ‘traitor’ during confirmation hearing

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Gabbard — a former Democratic congresswoman turned Trump ally accused of routinely amplifying Russian propaganda and defending Syria’s Bashar al-Assad — also refused to call Snowden a “traitor” during her confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, facing questions from members of both parties about her past praise. Republican Senator Todd Young asked Gabbard if Snowden “betrayed the trust of the American people.” “He released this information in a way he should not have,” Gabbard said. “No country or group or individual will get a pass” Asked point blank by Democratic Senator Martin Heinrich “who was responsible for the war in Ukraine,” Gabbard replied: “Putin.” Last year, Gabbard told podcaster Joe Rogan that “the United States and some of these European NATO countries are fueling this war” and “need to provide the leadership to bring about a negotiated outcome.” “That is what needs to happen here to prevent the destruction of the planet and life as we know it,” she said. “This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russia’s legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine’s becoming a member of NATO, which would mean US/NATO forces right on Russia’s border,” she wrote in 2022. open image in gallery Democratic Senator Michael Bennet pressed Gabbard on whether she believes Snowden is a ‘traitor’ after he claims she elevated him as a ‘folk hero’ Gabbard also faced questions about her recent opposition to a warrantless electronic surveillance program that allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect communications from foreigners outside the country.