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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 14, 2025 | The Indian Eye 15

Tulsi Gabbard secures Senate Intelligence

Committee vote in a close call as Kash Patel’s

confirmation hangs in balance

Patel, a former Trump administration lawyer, is accused of promoting a list of Trump’s political

adversaries and endorsing retribution against them, raising serious concerns about his fitness for the role

OUR BUREAU is still in a strong position to win the
green light from Republican senators
Washington, DC
when all is said and done.
ormer United States Repre- The move follows an expeditious
sentative Tulsi Gabbard has effort by Republicans to move the
Fcleared the Senate Intelligence president’s nominees through the
Committee vote for her nomination chamber. The Senate has confirmed
to become the next Director of Na- 12 nominees in less than three weeks.
tional Intelligence (DNI), putting her Patel, a former Trump admin-
one step closer to confirmation by the istration lawyer, is accused of pro-
full Senate, as reported by The Hill. moting a list of Trump’s political ad-
The vote was a close call, passing versaries and endorsing retribution
9-8 along party lines. against them, raising serious con-
“The Intelligence Committee cerns about his fitness for the role.
just voted for Tulsi Gabbard’s nom- A book published in 2022 named
ination to be the Director of Na- 60 critics of Donald Trump and sug-
tional Intelligence favourably to the gested they should be investigated.
full United States Senate. We look The second emerged this week, in-
forward to her confirmation and volving FBI agents who probed the
working with her to keep America 2021 Capitol riots, where Trump was
safe,” Senate Intelligence Commit- impeached and later indicted.
tee Chair Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) told Senate Democratic leader
reporters after the closed-door vote, Chuck Schumer criticised Patel’s
The Hill reported. nomination, calling it a dangerous
The vote came just hours after move that could compromise the
Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), a key FBI’s independence. “These actions
swing vote, announced that he would have political retribution written all
support Gabbard. over them. If Kash Patel becomes
Through a series of posts on X, FBI director, things will only get
Young endorsed her nomination, worse,” Schumer said.
saying, “I appreciate Tulsi Gabbard’s The judiciary committee was ini-
engagement with me on a variety of tially set to move Patel’s nomination
issues to ensure that our intelligence to a full Senate vote. However, Dem-
professionals will be supported and ocrats demanded a second hearing,
policymakers will receive unbiased claiming Patel withheld key informa-
information under her leadership.” tion about his involvement in Trump’s
He further wrote, “I have done lieutenant colonel, Democratic con- Patel’s nomination to lead the FBI was alleged plans for FBI retaliation.
what the Framers envisioned for gresswoman, and 2020 presidential pushed until next week as Democrats Patel denied having any “ene-
senators to do: use the consultative candidate who switched to the Re- delayed it due to panel rules. Voting on mies list” and said he intended to
process to seek firm commitments, publican Party last year. She has, at Patel’s nomination was on the agen- expose lawbreakers. Texas Republi-
in this case, commitments that will times, referred to the tens of thou- da for Judiciary members, but Dem- can senator Ted Cruz defended him,
advance our national security, which sands of intelligence personnel she ocrats requested it be held over one calling the attacks “political theatre”
is my top priority as a former Marine would oversee as members of the week. It is the prerogative of a mem- and dismissing them as baseless ac-
Corps intelligence officer.” “deep state.” ber to request such a move one time. cusations.
“Having now secured these com- Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) A similar move was made on At- The democrats used a rule in
mitments, I will support Tulsi’s nom- also voiced her support for Gabbard, torney General Pam Bondi’s nomi- the Republican-led committee that
ination and look forward to working further clearing her path to confir- nation last month. allowed a single delay of a week in
with her to protect our national secu- mation. Collins and Young had been Patel is now expected to be vot- any nomination vote. According to
rity” Young added. seen as pivotal votes in the commit- ed out of committee by Republicans AFP, a new hearing is expected next
Gabbard, who was nominated tee, as reported by The Hill. next Thursday. Thursday, where even two Republi-
by US President Donald Trump for Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary This does little to affect Patel’s can defections could derail his path
the post, is a former Army Reserve Committee’s consideration of Kash confirmation chances, however, as he to becoming FBI director.

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