Tulsi Gabbard fought back against what she called “smears,” declaring she is nobody’s “puppet” before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Tulsi Gabbard, then a Hawaii congresswoman and Democratic hopeful for president, appeared on Joe Rogan’s popular podcast and made an impassioned case for pardoning Edward Snowden. The former U.S. intelligence contractor,

Tulsi Gabbard says she now supports surveillance she once tried to end. The issue could decide whether she's confirmed as director of national intelligence.

Tulsi Gabbard, a veteran and former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, is set to face a skeptical Senate during her confirmation hearing Thursday for the role of director of national intelligence.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, is set to go before lawmakers Thursday for a confirmation hearing likely to focus on some of her past views on Rus

Jan. 26 Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told NBC he is inclined to vote in favor of all of Trump’s nominees, but wants to “see how the hearing goes,” specifically citing Gabbard’s controversial visit to Syria and her previous call for charges to be dropped against National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden.

Tulsi Gabbard is expected to face tough questions about her past comments about Russia, Syria and a key government surveillance program as lawmakers vet her to lead the nation’s intelligence service.

Lawmakers have been scrutinizing Gabbard’s ties to the Science of Identity Foundation, according to the report

Is Tulsi Gabbard in a cult? A woman who was previously part of a fringe organization wrote letters to elected officials claiming Tulsi was as well.

If approved by the Senate, Gabbard will oversee US intelligence agencies like the CIA, FBI and the National Security Agency (NSA).

Sign up for Trump’s Return, a newsletter featuring coverage of the second Trump presidency.