White House faces decision on Gabbard after shaky confirmation hearing
by Alex Gangitano and Al Weaver - 02/01/25 6:00 AM ET
The White House faces a decision on how to move forward with director of national intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard — wait and see if any GOP senators publicly oppose her, or launch a pressure campaign like the one that helped Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth get confirmed.
A number of Republicans emerged from Gabbard’s confirmation hearing this week appearing concerned and unimpressed with her answers on Edward Snowden, government surveillance and her communication with foreign adversaries. But no GOP senator has said flat out they will oppose her nomination.
That has left the White House and GOP allies feeling like she can get through.
“There’s no need for a plan B because plan A is going to work,” a Senate leadership aide told The Hill. “No senators said they’re no or announced they’re opposing her. And those who have expressed further questions are getting answers.”
Although Gabbard faces a tall task like Hegseth, the climb is very different for her. Most of Hegseth’s problems stemmed from personal issues, including allegations of sexual assault, that echoed what Justice Brett Kavanaugh faced in 2018.
Gabbard’s problems, by contrast, are almost exclusively policy-related. She was a Democrat for two decades and holds foreign policy views that differ from a number of Senate Republicans.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5119772-white-house-tulsi-gabbard-confirmation-hearing/
