Senators are expected to ask about her defense of the former government contractor, who released reams of data on U.S. surveillance programs and fled to Russia.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick to be Director of National Intelligence, refused to call Edward Snowden a traitor at her confirmation hearing.

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.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, refused to fully denounce the 2013 leaks by Edward J. Snowden, eliciting concern from both parties.

Senators also questioned Trump’s pick to be director of national intelligence over whether a controversial spying authority needed additional reforms in place.

US Senators questioned Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, about her 2017 meeting with Syria's Assad and her stance on Edward Snowden. Gabbard's previous statements on Russia were also scrutinized,

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle gave director of national intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard more than a half-dozen chances to withdraw her past support of Edward Snowden, the prolific leaker of government secrets,

Tulsi Gabbard passionately defends Edward Snowden during a Senate exchange, highlighting the debate on government transparency and whistleblowers.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence also faced questions from Senators Thursday, who grilled the former Hawaii congressmember about Edward Snowden; her 2017 meeting with Syria’s then-leader Bashar al-Assad;

Gabbard, a former congresswoman and an Army Reserve officer, faced challenging questions from senators on both sides of the aisle during her confirmation hearing to become director of national intelligence.

Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, was repeatedly asked to explain why she sought a pardon for Edward Snowden, the former government contractor who leaked thousands of classified documents revealing the scope of the nation’s surveillance programs.