Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pennsylvania) said in an interview on Saturday that former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii), who was selected by President-elect Trump to be director of national intelligence, “is not someone who would be seriously selected.” No,” he said. “A very important position.”
“She oversees 18 different national intelligence agencies and knows every single one of our country's most important secrets that we must keep closely guarded,” Dean told MSNBC's Alex Witt. “He was not seriously selected for a very important position.” show. “This is a very unscrupulous choice, and in fact a very dangerous choice.”
President Trump announced Wednesday that he has selected Gabbard to be the next administration's director of national intelligence.
“For more than 20 years, Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedoms of all Americans. As a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, she has received broad support from both parties and is currently I am a proud Republican. I know that Tulsi will bring to the intelligence community the fearlessness that has defined her distinguished career, defending constitutional rights and ensuring peace through force. Tulsi makes us all proud!'' President Trump said in a statement.
Gabbard has shared material in the past suggesting that the United States was previously involved in producing biological weapons in Ukraine, perpetuating Russian narratives. Seven years ago, she also met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is accused of using chemical weapons against Syrian civilians.
“She will also need Senate confirmation. Is she qualified for such an important position?” Witt asked Dean about Gabbard.
“Well, obviously not,” Dean replied. “Again, in all these appointments, at least in most appointments, I found that they were not serious appointments. This is not a serious person, someone. Congress, I served with her in Congress three years ago when she was a Congresswoman. [the House Financial Services Committee] Next to me, literally in my row. ”
“She was rarely there, either because she was giving a talking point to President Vladimir Putin or visiting the Syrian president.” [Bashar al-Assad,] But she just wasn't there,” Dean added.
The Hill has reached out to Trump's transition team for comment.
