Tulsi Gabbard faces ‘lots of questions’ in Senate on Syria visit, Republican lawmaker says

On By Littum

A Republican lawmaker has said the Senate Intelligence Committee has “a lot of questions” for Tulsi Gabbard about a visit to Syria where she met with President Bashar al-Assad.

Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma, who sits on the committee, said he wants to know the “context” and “purpose” of her meeting with the Syrian dictator in 2017 before endorsing her as Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence.

“We want to have a lot of questions. She met with Bashar Assad, we want to know what the purpose was and what the direction of that was, as a member of Congress,” Lankford told CNN’s Dana Bash on State of the Union.

“We would like a chance to talk about past comments that she has made and bring them into full context.”

Lankford said the committee wanted to “get everything out” about Gabbard, noting that she was previously “outspoken.”

Gabbard has previously made statements and comments that have been supportive of Russia and has denied that crimes have been committed by the Syrian regime. In 2017, as a member of the Democratic House, she flew from Hawaii to Syria for a meeting with Assad.

Tulsi Gabbard will face Senate questions about her 2017 meeting with the Syrian dictator

Tulsi Gabbard will face Senate questions about her 2017 meeting with the Syrian dictator (AFP via Getty Images)

“We have to go through hearings. We get everything out. We get facts and information and get the whole story,” Lankford said.

“She is someone who has been very open. She is apparently a former member of the military. She’s a veteran herself.”

Despite Lankford’s remarks, several other Republicans have been quick to defend Gabbard after her nomination by Trump sparked renewed concerns about her past comments and ties to foreign governments.

Senator Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and veteran of combat missions in Iraq, warned Sunday that Gabbard is “compromised” by her statements about Russia and the trip to Syria.

“The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with enemies of the United States. And so my concern is that she could not pass a background check,” Duckworth also said State of the Union.

But Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri said it was “garbage” to say Gabbard is “compromised.”

“I think it’s — it’s really interesting that anybody who has a different political view now is being cast as a Russian asset. It’s completely ridiculous,” he told NBC News’ Kristen Welker Meet the press.

U.S. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said the Senate Intelligence Committee has 'a lot of questions' for Trump's intelligence committee

U.S. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma said the Senate Intelligence Committee has ‘a lot of questions’ for Trump’s intelligence committee (EPA)

“Tulsi Gabbard has served in our military. She served as a congresswoman from Hawaii, as a Democrat, I might add, part of this unique coalition that President Trump has put together and won and got that mandate. But I think it’s insulting. It’s quite frankly a joke,” he added.

Gabbard, a veteran and former Democratic House member, has promoted conspiracy theories about US involvement in Ukraine.

The former Hawaii congresswoman left Congress to begin an unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign. She joined the Republican Party earlier this year, endorsed Trump and joined his presidential transition team.

Gabbard joined an Army reserve unit after serving 17 years in the Hawaii National Guard, and she points to her deployment experience to explain her skepticism about U.S. military interventions.

Trump praised Gabbard for fighting “for our country and the freedoms of all Americans” when he tapped her for the position.

“As a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, she has broad support in both parties – she is now a proud Republican!” Trump said. “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.”