A daughter of American Samoa is cleared to serve on President Trump’s cabinet.
The US Senate has confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence.
KHJ News Washington DC correspondent Matt Kaye reports…
The vote was near party lines—52-48 with Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell, the only senator switching sides.
Former Democratic Congresswoman Gabbard faced a tough confirmation hearing last month, as members of both parties questioned her past positions and actions.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer…
Play Audio
(Transc.) Schumer: “Every single Democrat, I am proud to say, will oppose the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard, because we simply cannot in good conscience, trust our most classified secrets to someone who echoes Russian propaganda and falls for conspiracy theories.”
A few GOP skeptics said Gabbard, born in Leloaloa Village, had addressed their concerns on her past conciliatory approach to Russia and Syria, and was committed to protecting classified intelligence.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune accused Democrats of turning on one of their own, before Gabbard and RFK Jr. up for Health Secretary, changed parties…
Play Audio
(Transc.) Thune: “In each of those cases, you had Democrats in good standing, as recently as a year ago, who have been pushed out, come now are nominees picked by President Trump for positions within his administration, and you’re not going to see a single Democrat vote for them. But we will confirm them, and we’ll get these people into these positions as soon as possible.”
Majority Whip John Barrasso said Gabbard a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve had “extensive” experience handling classified information during her time on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees.
Barrasso argued that Gabbard “took a hard line on Russia and Iran,” and supported sending weapons to Ukraine after Russian invaded Crimea in 2014.
