Durbin Statement On Confirmation Of Tulsi Gabbard As Director Of National Intelligence
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after voting against the confirmation of Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence:
“Tulsi Gabbard is infamous for defending despots—including Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad—and traitors such as Edward Snowden. Her fondness for these oppressive, anti-democratic regimes does not go unreciprocated—they express fondness for her right back. Countries that do not have the United States’ best interest, including Russia and North Korea, are cheering for her confirmation.
“Americans deserve a Director of National Intelligence who has proven to have good judgement on critical security matters. Unfortunately, Tulsi Gabbard does not. She is not qualified for an entry-level position within our intelligence community, let alone to lead it. For the sake of our national security and the national security of our allies, I vehemently opposed her confirmation and am deeply disappointed that my Republican colleagues put their blind fealty to President Trump ahead of those interests.”
Yesterday, Durbin delivered a speech on the Senate floor explaining his objections to Gabbard’s nomination.
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