Trump’s nominee endorses controversial surveillance law

Tulsi Gabbard, the candidate for the post of director of national intelligence in the new administration of President-elect Donald Trump, has changed her position on the issue of electronic surveillance.

Gabbard told the media that she now supports Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), saying the program should be preserved to protect the country while ensuring the civil liberties of Americans.

The authors noted that Gabbard changed her position amid problems with the consideration of her candidacy for the post of intelligence chief. Previously, the politician criticized this initiative, proposing to abolish it at the legislative level, the journalists noted.

According to CNN, Gabbard said she would support FISA Section 702 — an intelligence gathering tool passed by Congress after September 11, 2001 — if confirmed as Trump’s spy chief, marking a dramatic shift from her previous attempts to repeal the same authority and comments raising deep concerns about domestic surveillance.

“Section 702, unlike other FISA authorities, is crucial for gathering foreign intelligence on non-US persons abroad. This unique capability cannot be replicated and must be safeguarded to protect our nation while ensuring the civil liberties of Americans”, Gabbard stressed.

Last November, US Senator Eric Schmitt dismissed accusations against Gabbard that she was a “Russian agent,” calling them politically motivated. He recalled that the politician served in the US military and was part of a “unique coalition” that Trump had assembled.