Aspiring spy boss Tulsi Gabbard defended most of her controversial foreign policy takes during a lively Senate hearing Thursday, including her meeting with former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and her prior doubts about the legitimacy of US intelligence on his use of chemical weapons against his own people.

Gabbard was questioned by Republicans and Democrats alike on her views of Snowden and whether she believes he was a traitor. She declined to say she believed he was a traitor, repeating that she felt he had broken the law and reiterating a point that she has made in the past, that he exposed practices that have resulted in the reform of 702.

The former congresswoman’s refusal to call Edward Snowden a traitor reignited GOP angst about her qualifications as director of national intelligence

Gabbard is a rare Washington politician who defended the NSA whistleblower. But she has also changed positions and even political parties.

Ms. Gabbard, President Trump’s pick for national intelligence director, was repeatedly asked during a confirmation hearing whether Edward Snowden’s leaks made him a traitor. Ms. Gabbard told senators only that he “broke the law.

Democratic Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, grilled Tulsi Gabbard on her previous remarks praising Edward Snowden.

Senators quizzed Trump's pick for Director of National Intelligence on her past support for leaker Edward Snowden and for meeting with Syrian dictator Basha al-Assad.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, faced sharp criticism from Democrats and Republicans alike Thursday during a fiery confirmation hearing.