Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the rating member on the Home International Affairs Committee, mentioned Monday that former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii), President-elect Trump’s choose for director of nationwide intelligence, is “a national security threat” to the U.S.
“So, to have Tulsi Gabbard there now, who has basically said good things about [Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad,] secretly gone over to visit him, good things about [Russian President Vladimir Putin,] shows to me that that’s a national security threat to the United States of America, and I think under ordinary circumstances, if you go through regular security screening, she would not pass the test to receive classified documents,” Meeks advised MSNBC’s Ana Cabrera.
Trump introduced final week that he had chosen Gabbard to be director of nationwide intelligence in his subsequent administration.
“I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!” Trump mentioned in an announcement on the time.
Gabbard has up to now shared content material implying that the U.S. was concerned in making organic weapons in Ukraine, perpetuating a story from Moscow. She additionally met in 2017 with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has been accused of using chemical weapons on Syrian civilians.
“She was … on the Foreign Affairs Committee, when she secretly went over to visit Assad … she made … public statements about Russia,” Meeks mentioned of Gabbard on Monday. “And I think that, you know, unfortunately it does follow what Donald Trump has done and what Donald Trump has said.”
“Because Donald Trump … said he trusted Russian intelligence above the United States intelligence,” Meeks added.
A number of Democrats, together with Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), a former CIA officer, have come out towards Gabbard as Trump’s alternative for director of nationwide intelligence.
“As a former CIA case officer, I saw the men and women of the U.S. intelligence community put their lives on the line every day for this country — and I am appalled at the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to lead DNI,” Spanberger mentioned on the social platform X final week.
The Hill has reached out to the Trump transition group for remark.
