In dueling confirmation hearings, Trump’s DNI pick appeared on shaky ground after refusing to condemn Edward Snowden as a “traitor,” while FBI director nominee Kash Patel won plaudits from Republicans.

Critics blasted the meeting as legitimizing Assad four years after he used lethal chemical weapons on Syrian civilians. "It was common knowledge that Assad was gassing the civilian population,

As an unconventional pick to lead the nation’s intelligence service, Tulsi Gabbard faced a barrage of questions about her past comments on Syria, Russia, foreign surveillance and President Donald Trump at her confirmation hearing Thursday.