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Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the next administration has changed his stance on a controversial issue after lobbying from Republican senators.
Gabbard revealed on Friday that she considers Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) “critical to the collection of foreign intelligence concerning non-U.S. persons abroad.”
before her Opposing FISA Section 702 Reauthorization While serving as a Democratic member of the House of Representatives.
Gabbard announces change of position on FISA Section 702. (Getty Images)
“We have a very important responsibility to balance national security to keep the American people safe with protecting our constitutionally protected freedoms,” she said on the House floor in 2018. “Let us make this critical choice. Vote to keep our country safe, vote to uphold our constitutional rights that so many have fought and died to protect.”
“This unique capability cannot be replicated and must be protected to protect our country while ensuring Americans’ civil liberties,” Gabbard said in a statement provided by a Trump transition spokesperson.
“My previous concerns about FISA were based on inadequate protections for civil liberties, particularly the FBI’s abuse of warrantless search powers against U.S. citizens. Since my time in Congress, significant FISA reforms have been enacted to address these issues. If confirmed As Director of National Intelligence, I will uphold Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights while preserving important national security tools like Section 702 to keep the American people safe and free,” she said.
Gabbard’s changing views on key national security issues first reported blackjack news.
Previously, several Republican senators explained to her the importance of Section 702 of FISA.
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Trump appoints Gabbard as director of national intelligence. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images)
“Tulsi Gabbard assured me during our conversation that she supports the recent Section 702 as amended, and she will follow the law and support its reauthorization as Director of National Intelligence.”
A Republican aide said Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., stressed the importance of Section 702’s authority and her commitment to it during a meeting with Gabbard. How important it is to be in control.
Lankford told the podcast earlier this week wall street journal Kim Strasser said there are issues “people aren’t talking about” as they relate to Trump’s choices. One of them, he said, is Gabbard and her position on Section 702.
“She has voted against the so-called 702 authority every time she’s been in Congress and voted against it. Well, now she’s going to be the spokesperson for the 702 authority. It’s a legitimate question, just to say, ‘Well, what are you going to do about it? This? ‘” he asked.
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Cotton is chairman of the Intelligence Committee. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Lankford said this is important to other Republican senators. “I haven’t heard anyone actually publicly say ‘I’m totally opposed’ to Trump’s nominee,” he explained.
But, “I’m hearing a lot of people say, ‘Hey, I want to have a fair hearing. I want people to be able to answer questions openly.'”
While most Republican senators support FISA, some are outspoken critics. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote on Concerned about the Fourth Amendment’s recent FISA reauthorization.
Another top critic, senator. Rand Paul“Using 702, the content and metadata of Americans’ communications will inevitably be scrubbed without a warrant and retained in government databases,” the Kentucky Republican said in 2023. “Law enforcement agencies can then, without a warrant, “Access to Americans’ Communications.”
Paul opposed Section 702, saying it infringed on civil liberties. (Kevin Dickey/Getty Images)
These Republicans may not be too happy about Gabbard’s change of heart. However, there is no sign yet that this will undermine their support for her.
One Republican Senate source expressed skepticism about Gabbard’s new stance, noting that she has “a lifelong skepticism about intelligence gathering.” They said it was unlikely she would “completely change her mind”.
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Conservative senators are being emboldened by Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and his apparent desire to confirm Trump nominees on swearing-in day, a Republican Senate source confirmed to Fox News Digital.
They added that the group is eager to confirm all national security nominees on Trump’s first day in office.
