Representative Debbie Wasserman SchultzTulsi Gabbard, D-Fla., is facing criticism online for claiming that President-elect Trump’s choice for director of national intelligence (DNI), “Probably a Russian asset.”
Wasserman Schultz made the claims on MSNBC on Friday without providing any evidence, prompting a sharp reaction from commentators criticizing the Florida lawmaker’s record.
“By most assessments he is considered essentially a Russian asset and would be the most dangerous,” Wasserman Schultz said.
“Yes. No question. I consider him someone who would probably be a Russian asset who would be, as DNI, responsible for managing our entire intelligence community, keeping all of our most important intelligence and secrets, and essentially We will virtually have a direct line of sight to our enemies,” said Wasserman Schultz.
The comments were sharply criticized.
Journalist Glenn Greenwald wrote, “Tulsi Gabbard resigned as DNC vice chair in 2016 because Debbie Wasserman Schultz was rigging the election to ensure Hillary’s victory – as Liz Warren, Donna Brazile and WL all showed “
“Imagine you’re fighting for your country and then these pro-war people question your loyalty.”
Commentator @TexasLindsay_ cited the debunked Russian dossier scandal, which Democrats used to accuse President-elect Trump of having Russian assets.
“Debbie Wasserman Schultz was DNC chair when Hillary Clinton ran for president – at the same time the DNC was caught spying on the Trump campaign, paying to create a fake Russian dossier to discredit Trump.”
“The fact that she’s now accusing Tulsi Gabbard of being a Russian asset is so outrageous, I can’t help but laugh at how stupid she thinks we all are.”
Ian Miles Cheong cited a scandal involving former Wasserman Schultz IT associate Imran Awan, who was charged with federal bank fraud and conspiracy and arrested while trying to leave the US. Wasserman Schultz was criticized for mishandling sensitive information by the defense. Awan ultimately reached a plea agreement with the Justice Department.
“This is completely defamatory and should not be left unanswered,” Cheong wrote.
Commentator Bo Snerdley also chimed in and said he really hopes Gabbard sues Wasserman Schultz “for slander and defamation of character.”
During Friday’s interview, Wasserman Schultz attacked Gabbard for secretly meeting in 2017 with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who is accused of using chemical weapons on his own citizens during the country’s civil war. .
Gabbard refused to call him a war criminal during her 2020 presidential campaign and said she suspected her government carried out a chemical weapons attack earlier that year that killed dozens of Syrians.
,Tulsi Gabbard He’s a guy who has met with war criminals, violated State Department guidelines and secretly went to Syria and met with Assad who gassed his own people and attacked with chemical weapons,” Wasserman Schultz said.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who left her party and switched to the Republican Party, once called her former party “a bunch of warmongers.”
This is not the first time Democrats have accused Gabbard of having a Russian asset.
In a 2019 interview, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton labeled him “the Russians’ favorite”, citing apparent Russian media support for him.
Gabbard served in the U.S. House of Representatives from early 2013 to early 2021 as a Democrat.
She ran for president in 2019 but ultimately dropped out in 2020 and endorsed Joe Biden.
The Republican is also a veteran who served in Iraq, as well as an Army Reservist.
He had been promoted to lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve three years earlier.
The former lawmaker supported Trump during the 2024 election and announced that she was joining the Republican Party.
“I have been a soldier for over 21 years and currently serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve,” he said in a post on Veterans Day this week.
In a statement Wednesday, Trump said Gabbard “has fought for our country and the freedom of all Americans.”
“As a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, he enjoys broad support in both parties – he is now a proud Republican!” Trump said, according to a statement from his transition team.
“I know Basil will bring the fearless spirit that has defined his illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our constitutional rights, and achieving peace through strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!”
The Director of National Intelligence leads the U.S. intelligence community, including overseeing the national intelligence program and advising the President on security matters.
The current Director of National Intelligence is Avril Haines.
Once confirmed to the position, Gabbard will advise Trump, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council on national security matters.
Fox News’ Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
(Tags to translate)Politics(T)US News(T)2024 Presidential Election(T)Debbie Wasserman Schultz(T)Donald Trump(T)Russia(T)Tulsi Gabbard
