Ex-Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for director of national intelligence, has recently shifted her stance on a key U.S. surveillance law.
According to Media ITE, Tulsi Gabbard, initially opposed to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), now supports the law, stating it is essential for national security.
Gabbard's prior efforts to repeal Section 702 caused concern among some GOP senators who feared her opposition might continue if confirmed. These senators have expressed significant interest in her newly adopted position.
Her change in perspective was crucial to earning the trust of senators critical to her confirmation. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) openly questioned how Gabbard would manage her responsibilities given her previous votes against Section 702.
Gabbard responded to these concerns through a detailed statement, highlighting the importance of Section 702 in gathering intelligence on foreign threats while reaffirming her commitment to Americans' civil liberties.
"Section 702, unlike other FISA authorities, is crucial for gathering foreign intelligence on non-U.S. persons abroad. This unique capability cannot be replicated and must be safeguarded to protect our nation while ensuring the civil liberties of Americans," she stated.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), chair of the Intelligence Committee, confirmed Gabbard's support for Section 702 after recent amendments that perhaps addressed her concerns.
"Tulsi Gabbard has assured me in our conversations that she supports Section 702 as recently amended & that she will follow the law and support its reauthorization as DNI," Cotton explained.
In contrast, Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, expressed ongoing concerns due to procedural delays, including incomplete paperwork and an unfinished FBI background check.
Gabbard’s shifting political alignment, from a progressive Democrat closely associated with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to a Republican and supporter of Trump's America First agenda, has been both notable and controversial.
Her previous criticisms of Trump's foreign policy did not go unnoticed during her transition.
Here is further insight provided by Gabbard on her reevaluation of Section 702: "My prior concerns about FISA were based on insufficient protections for civil liberties, particularly regarding the FBI’s misuse of warrantless search powers on American citizens. Significant FISA reforms have been enacted since my time in Congress to address these issues. If confirmed as DNI, I will uphold Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights while maintaining vital national security tools like Section 702 to ensure the safety and freedom of the American people."
Gabbard's evolving stance on key security issues underscores her current prioritization of national defense over the broader civil liberties debates that characterized her earlier political career.
Her confirmation process, as noted by Senators Lankford and Warner, suggests scrutiny of her recent conversion to these critical security policies.
