Tulsi Gabbard’s father, Mike Gabbard, also pivoted from anti-gay activism to a career in local politics in Hawaii. He mounted a House bid in 2004 and fielded questions about his extensive ties to Butler and the group’s past attempts to back candidates. Mike Gabbard described himself as a “Catholic” who was “eternally thankful to Chris Butler.”

Analysis: Democrats grandstanded, but it might be the questioning of two Republican hawks that sinks Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence, Eric Garcia reports

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

President Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, faced intense scrutiny from Republican and Democratic senators during her confirmation hearing on Thursday, as lawmakers pressed her on her past praise for intelligence leaker Edward Snowden and her evolving stance on a controversial electronic surveillance

Tulsi Gabbard faced questions on intelligence matters, surveillance, and Edward Snowden at her confirmation hearing. NBC News' Sahil Kapur has details on how senators focused their questioning for the next potential director of national intelligence.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's nominee to serve as the director of national intelligence, will testify Thursday morning at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. The 43-year-old former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and combat veteran would oversee the nation's 18 spy agencies.

President Donald Trump's choice to direct U.S. intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, faces a Senate panel that is divided over its position on her nomination in a confirmation hearing on Thursday.