Tulsi Gabbard repeatedly refused to call National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden a traitor during her confirmation hearing on Thursday, which some Republicans are privately admitting could threaten her chances of advancing out of committee.

Tulsi Gabbard faced tough questions Thursday about past comments about Russia, Syria and government leaker Edward Snowden during a Senate confirmation hearing on her nomination to lead the U.S. intelligence service.

Trump's pick to head U.S. intelligence has broken with its assessments several times since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

What to know about Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing today: Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, is testifying Thursday to the Senate

Tulsi Gabbard, President-elect Trump's pick to serve as the director of national intelligence, testified at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Tulsi Gabbard insisted Thursday she’s no one’s “puppet” and pushed back against senators’ accusations that she supports foreign dictators and a famous U.S. whistleblower who fled to Russia. Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s choice to become director of national intelligence,

President Donald Trump's choice to direct U.S. intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, faces a Senate panel that is divided over its position on her nomination in a confirmation hearing on Thursday.

Tulsi Gabbard’s father, Mike Gabbard, also pivoted from anti-gay activism to a career in local politics in Hawaii. He mounted a House bid in 2004 and fielded questions about his extensive ties to Butler and the group’s past attempts to back candidates. Mike Gabbard described himself as a “Catholic” who was “eternally thankful to Chris Butler.”

Former Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina came back to Congress Thursday to support former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence. She’s a controversial pick by President Donald Trump.

The nominee for director of national intelligence espoused provocative takes on foreign policy during public appearances. Senators are expected to challenge some of those in her confirmation hearing.

Ahead of a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Thursday, the fate of Gabbard’s nomination rests in the hands of a small handful of undecided GOP senators: Maine’s Susan Collins, Indiana’s Todd Young, Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell and Utah’s John Curtis.