Tulsi Gabbard changes tone on domestic surveillance powers she once sought to dismantle | CNN Politics

CNN - Jan 10th, 2025
Open on CNN

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has expressed support for FISA Section 702, a key surveillance authority, marking a significant shift from her previous stance. Gabbard, who once sought to dismantle Section 702, now emphasizes its importance for foreign intelligence gathering while pledging to safeguard American civil liberties if confirmed. Despite her efforts to gain bipartisan support, there remains uncertainty about her confirmation, as Senate Democrats delay hearing dates due to pending nomination paperwork.

Gabbard's nomination has faced scrutiny due to her limited intelligence experience and controversial positions on issues like Syria and Ukraine, which some view as aligning with Russian propaganda. Her past criticism of government surveillance further complicates her potential leadership role within the intelligence community. If confirmed, she would be one of the few anti-surveillance officials to lead since 9/11, raising questions about potential reforms in intelligence practices. Her transformation from a Democratic congresswoman to a potential Trump administration Cabinet member highlights her evolving stance on national security issues.

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RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a detailed overview of Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as the Director of National Intelligence and her stance on FISA Section 702. It highlights the shifts in her position and her past criticisms of government surveillance. While the article offers a compelling narrative, it could benefit from more balanced perspectives and greater transparency regarding sources and potential biases. The clarity of the article is generally strong, though some areas could be improved for better reader understanding.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article accurately presents Tulsi Gabbard's shift in position regarding FISA Section 702, citing her statement to CNN. It also correctly summarizes her past legislative attempts and positions on surveillance, referencing her introduction of legislation to repeal the Patriot Act and Section 702. However, the article does not provide direct quotes from these legislative documents or detailed factual data to verify claims about her previous actions, which could enhance the factual accuracy. Additionally, while the article mentions her meeting with Avril Haines, it lacks specific details about the meeting's content, leaving some factual gaps.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on Gabbard's shift in perspective and potential confirmation challenges. It mentions her previous criticism of the intelligence community and national security state, providing a critical viewpoint. However, it lacks perspectives from those who support her stance or those who oppose her nomination, resulting in an imbalance. For example, while it notes scrutiny over her positions on Syria and Ukraine, it does not explore these viewpoints in depth or offer counterarguments. This omission suggests a potential bias in framing Gabbard's candidacy and positions.

8
Clarity

The article is generally well-structured, with a clear narrative about Gabbard's nomination and her stance on government surveillance. The language is professional and mostly neutral, effectively conveying complex information about FISA Section 702 and Gabbard's past positions. However, certain sections could benefit from clearer explanations, particularly when discussing the implications of her past legislative efforts. Additionally, the article could improve by avoiding jargon and providing more background for readers unfamiliar with the topics, ensuring a broader audience can easily understand the content.

5
Source quality

The article cites unnamed sources for certain claims, such as Gabbard's meeting with Avril Haines, which undermines the credibility of the reporting. While it references a statement to CNN, it does not provide a direct link or detailed attribution, limiting source verification. The article could improve by including a wider variety of authoritative sources or direct quotes from Gabbard or other officials to substantiate claims. Additionally, the mention of Punchbowl lacks context about its credibility, which might raise questions about the reliability of the information presented.

5
Transparency

While the article explains Gabbard's shift on FISA Section 702 and her past positions, it does not sufficiently disclose the sources of some information or explain the basis for certain claims, such as her meeting details. The article could improve transparency by providing more context on Gabbard's past statements and actions, potentially including direct references or links to her legislative proposals. Additionally, acknowledging any affiliations or potential biases of the sources used would enhance the reader's understanding of the article's impartiality.