Tulsi Gabbard faces Senate scrutiny over 2017 meeting with Assad

Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by Trump for director of national intelligence, faces scrutiny from the Senate Intelligence Committee regarding her 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Senator James Lankford expressed the need for clarity on the meeting's context and purpose. While some Republicans defend Gabbard, concerns about her past comments and ties to foreign governments persist. Senator Tammy Duckworth labeled her as "compromised," citing troubling relationships with adversaries, while Senator Eric Schmitt dismissed such claims as a "slur." Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and military veteran, has shifted to the Republican Party and endorsed Trump. He praised her military service and bipartisan appeal, stating she will bring a strong spirit to the intelligence community.