Tulsi Gabbard confirmed by Senate as Trump’s national intelligence director

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence, adding the previously Democratic former Hawaii legislator to President Donald Trump's inner circle after lawmakers raised pointed questions about her views on Russia, ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who leaked classified information.

Gabbard secured confirmation on a 52-48 vote. In her new role, Gabbard will oversee the 18 agencies within the U.S. Intelligence community, serving as the president's top adviser on intelligence matters.