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.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick to be the US spy chief, ran into bipartisan criticism over an episode from the past — her championing of Edward Snowden, who rocked the intelligence world 12 years ago with his disclosure of top-secret US spy programs.