Republicans defend Trump’s intelligence nominee Gabbard against Democratic accusations of compromise

Republican senators defended Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, against Democratic claims that she is "compromised" due to her past comments on Russia and meetings with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Democrats, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, expressed concerns about Gabbard's judgment and relationships with U.S. adversaries. Some have accused her of being a "Russian asset," a claim Republicans reject as unfounded and politically motivated. Sen. Eric Schmitt called the accusations insulting, while Sen. James Lankford stated he has questions for Gabbard regarding her past actions and comments. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, recently joined the Republican Party.