Watch: Democratic Senator Flies Off the Handle When Tulsi Gabbard Won't Agree with Him on Ukraine and Edward Snowden

Watch: Democratic Senator Flies Off the Handle When Tulsi Gabbard Won't Agree with Him on Ukraine and Edward Snowden

Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado became visibly frustrated on Thursday while questioning Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard about her stance on the Ukraine war and Edward Snowden.

Bennet specifically challenged a social media post Gabbard had shared in February 2022, shortly after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

Reading aloud from the post, he quoted her as saying, “This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/NATO had simply acknowledged Russia’s legitimate security concerns regarding Ukraine’s becoming a member of NATO, which would mean US/NATO forces right on Russia’s border.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has long warned that Ukraine’s NATO membership would be a red line for Moscow, potentially triggering a military response.

During the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Bennet pressed Gabbard, asking, “Are you aware that your comments about proxy wars and Russia’s legitimate, ‘legitimate security concerns,’ to quote your own words, are in alignment with what the Russians have said to justify their invasion of Ukraine? Yes or no.”

Gabbard pushed back, stating, “Senator, I don’t pay attention to Russian propaganda. My goal is to speak the truth, regardless of whether you like it or not.”

Bennet, growing more agitated, accused her of siding with Russia, exclaiming, “You were there at 11:30 p.m. that night to say that you were with them [Russia], not us!”

Gabbard countered, “Senator, I think you should also quote the statement that I made criticizing Putin for his invasion of Ukraine.”

The exchange escalated further when Bennet shifted the discussion to Edward Snowden, demanding a clear answer on whether she considered him a traitor.

Snowden, a former government contractor, leaked classified information in 2013 about U.S. surveillance programs conducted by the National Security Agency. He claimed to be a whistleblower exposing government overreach. To avoid prosecution under U.S. espionage laws, Snowden currently resides in Russia, as reported by the Associated Press.

Bennet pressed, “Was Edward Snowden a traitor to the United States of America?”

Gabbard answered, “He broke the law.”

Unsatisfied, Bennet pushed for a direct response: “Yes or no, is Edward Snowden a traitor to the United States of America?”

Gabbard responded, “As someone who has worn our uniform in combat, I understand how critical our national security is.”

Bennet fired back, “Apparently, you don’t.”

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