Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are under Senate scrutiny as they face confirmation hearings for key positions in President Donald Trump's administration. Gabbard, nominated for Director of National Intelligence, faced questions about her past support for NSA leaker Edward Snowden and her stance on surveillance laws. She emphasized her commitment to the law but refused to label Snowden a traitor, raising concerns about her nomination's viability.

"Was he a traitor at the time when he took America's secrets, released them in public, and then ran to China and became a Russian citizen?" asked Republican Senator James Lankford.

"I'm focused on the future and how we can prevent something like this from happening again," Gabbard said.

Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado also brought up Snowden.

"Is Edward Snowden a traitor to the United States of America?" Bennet. "That is not a hard question to answer when the stakes are this high."

While Gabbard tried to sidestep the question, Bennet interjected, saying, "Apparently, you don't."

Gabbard said that she will follow the law if she is confirmed.

"My commitment has been and will be, if confirmed as director of National Intelligence, to comply with the law," said Gabbard, noting that she does not believe that President Trump would order her to break the law.

In a hearing with the Senate Judiciary Committee, Kash Patel, Trump's pick for FBI Director, was questioned about his views on election integrity and potential retribution against political opponents. He avoided directly answering whether he believed the 2020 election was stolen, instead highlighting concerns about election integrity. Patel also faced scrutiny over his past comments about targeting media outlets, which he softened during the hearing, stating he would not pursue the media unless defamation occurred.

Kennedy, nominated for Secretary of Health and Human Services, was grilled for a second day on his controversial vaccine views. He faced criticism for past statements linking vaccines to autism, which contradict established scientific consensus. Kennedy pledged to support science-based healthcare but struggled to accurately describe Medicare components, raising doubts about his understanding of the programs.

The hearings highlighted the nominees' controversial views, with senators expressing concerns about their ability to lead effectively.

Gabbard's nomination faces potential blockage if a single Republican votes against her in committee. Patel and Kennedy's nominations also face challenges due to their contentious positions and past statements.

Mandy Connell