Tulsi Gabbard is struggling to gain support for her confirmation as director of national intelligence, facing tough questioning from senators over her controversial past and lack of experience.

Her meetings with senators have been described as unsuccessful, with concerns about her preparedness, controversial stances, and past votes complicating her path to confirmation, The Hill reported.

Gabbard, nominated by President Trump for director of national intelligence, has faced difficulties in meetings with senators this week. Sources described her interactions as "not going well," with some calling them "BS sessions" and others noting lawmakers' "eyerolls." One source compared her performance to a House member testifying, not someone qualified to brief the president on national intelligence.

Senators have raised concerns about her lack of experience and preparation, especially given the critical national security implications. Her past relationships with U.S. adversaries, including meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and her defense of Edward Snowden, have also raised red flags. Additionally, her public support for Putin's stance on Ukraine has made it hard for her to gain Republican support, including from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Senators Concerned About Gabbard's Past Stances on Key National Security Issues

In addition to her foreign policy positions, Gabbard's past votes are drawing criticism from lawmakers. Notably, she voted against reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which allows warrantless surveillance of non-U.S. citizens abroad.

This vote contradicts the role she is being considered for, which requires her to defend and support the continuation of FISA Section 702. "The hard part is explaining things like, she voted against [FISA Section 702] four times and now she’s going to have to be the defender of 702," one Republican senator noted.

One Senate GOP aide emphasized that Gabbard "has some work to do" if she hopes to secure enough votes for confirmation. Despite the challenges, the aide acknowledged that Gabbard "is a capable person who could learn quickly," but stressed that she needs to be "educated on the job."

The aide also pointed out that the more Gabbard meets with "serious people," the more her "competency deficit" may become apparent.

Despite these concerns, Gabbard has some supporters. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) defended her performance, calling her "a straight shooter" who is "extremely driven" and could "get the job done." He also pointed to her potential to bring about changes in how the intelligence community operates. "People have just got to get to know her and be comfortable with her," Mullin said.

Trump’s Transition Team Pushes Back Against Criticism of Gabbard

The Trump transition team has pushed back against reports of Gabbard's struggles, dismissing the anonymous sources as spreading "falsities." Transition spokesperson Alexa Henning defended Gabbard's qualifications, emphasizing that President Trump nominated her in line with his "mandate for change" from the American people.

However, Gabbard's path to confirmation appears more challenging compared to other Trump nominees. One source familiar with the confirmation process suggested that Gabbard is more vulnerable than Pete Hegseth,

Trump's nominee for the Pentagon, who has gained momentum after facing similar challenges. "I will say, the middle of last week, it felt like there was growing momentum against him. I think that has changed markedly," Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) remarked, referencing Hegseth’s improving chances of confirmation.

Sen. Mullin echoed Cruz’s comments, noting that Hegseth had "made his case" and had been effective in shifting the momentum. In contrast, Gabbard has not yet achieved a similar breakthrough, with many senators remaining skeptical about her ability to handle the responsibilities of the role.

What’s Next for Gabbard?

Gabbard faces significant hurdles in her confirmation, needing to overcome critics and secure votes. While some senators see potential in her quick learning, others doubt her qualifications. As the process unfolds, Gabbard must prove she can meet the challenge of becoming the nation’s top intelligence official.

Despite the doubts, her supporters remain hopeful that increased interaction with lawmakers could shift the tide in her favor. The final decision remains uncertain, and the coming weeks will be crucial for her prospects.

Key Factors Impacting Gabbard’s Confirmation

As Gabbard navigates the confirmation process, her controversial positions on foreign policy and national security issues will remain key points of contention. Senators from both parties will continue to scrutinize her qualifications and assess her ability to step into a role that requires extensive expertise in intelligence and security matters.

Only time will tell if Gabbard can win over enough Senate votes to secure her confirmation and take on the critical role of Director of National Intelligence.