Amata hails confirmation of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as DNI

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is hailing the Senate confirmation of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who was born in American Samoa and represented Hawaii in Congress, as Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

“Congratulations to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. This high-level post in the President’s Cabinet is historic for us as her birthplace in American Samoa, and for Pacific Islanders in the U.S. government,” said Congresswoman Amata.

“I would applaud that distinction by any of our people, but it is special to note that Tulsi is a friend, former colleague, and part of my aiga. She was born right here in American Samoa, from Leloaloa village. She is a patriot who has served our country in the military for many years, and I know she will take on these major responsibilities in serious times with great dedication.”

In more than 20 years of military service, Tulsi Gabbard was deployed to Iraq, then stationed in Kuwait, and continued service in the Hawaii National Guard and the Army Reserve. She holds the rank of lieutenant colonel. Her various committee roles in Congress also had direct bearing on national security and homeland security. She now leads the U.S. Intelligence community, and is the principal advisor to the President on intelligence matters.

BACKGROUND BY SAMOA NEWS STAFF

In a poll on the Samoa News website, of those participating, 53% say they do not support Gabbard for the director post for National Intelligence, while 48% do.

The vote in the U.S. Senate was 52-48 mostly along party lines, though Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky joined Democrats in opposing the confirmation.

Gabbard faced concerns from several Republican senators over her lack of support for Ukraine; her shifting position on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s Section 702, a key surveillance and security tool; her 2017 meeting with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad; and her past support for Edward Snowden.

McConnell appeared to reference some of Gabbard’s positions in a statement he released after voting against her, saying she has “a history of alarming lapses in judgement.”