Trumps DNI pick Tulsi Gabbard defends controversial foreign spy power she once opposed

Director of National Intelligence-designate Tulsi Gabbard is defending the use of a controversial foreign spy power she once opposed while in Congress, while still pledging to “uphold Americans’ Fourth Amendment right” against warrantless searches of their communications.Gabbard, 43, issued a rare statement ahead of her confirmation hearing next week promising to maintain the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s so-called “Section 702” authority if installed as the next chief of all 17 intelligence agencies.“Section 702, unlike other FISA authorities, is crucial for gathering foreign intelligence on non-US persons abroad,” she said.“This unique capability cannot be replicated and must be safeguarded to protect our nation while ensuring the civil liberties of Americans.”“My prior concerns about FISA were based on insufficient protections for civil liberties, particularly regarding the FBI’s misuse of warrantless search powers on American citizens,” Gabbard added in her statement, which was first reported by Punchbowl News.“Significant FISA reforms have been enacted since my time in Congress to address these issues.

If confirmed as DNI, I will uphold Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights while maintaining vital national security tools like Section 702 to ensure the safety and freedom of the American people.”One Republican aide snarked to The Post that Gabbard’s about-face “sounds like a hostage statement,” as she prepares to be grilled by security-minded Senate lawmakers.“She is clearly saying this to assuage concerns from intel hawks that she is insufficiently committed to spying on Americans,” the aide said.“Whether she is merely telling them what they want to hear, and intends to implement further reforms once in office, or has truly abandoned major FISA reform as a goal, is an open question.“Regardless,” this person added, “her assertion that the latest FISA ‘reforms’ substantially resolved her concerns with ...