Gabbard's shocking BETRAYAL of civil liberties for DNI post: FISA Section 702 flip-flop exposed

By ramontomeydw // 2025-01-14

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Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (R-HI) has surprisingly switched her stance on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which permits warrantless surveillance of Americans' communications and metadata.
Her about-face is believed to be an effort to secure her confirmation as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a position she was nominated for by President-elect Donald Trump.
Previously, Gabbard was known for her vocal opposition to Section 702, citing concerns over Fourth Amendment violations. She even introduced legislation to repeal the provision in 2020.
Gabbard's sudden support for Section 702 is viewed with skepticism, especially given her own experience as a target of surveillance under the outgoing Biden administration. Critics argue that her new rhetoric is inconsistent with her past advocacy for civil liberties.
Gabbard’s confirmation as DNI, contingent upon her support for Section 702, highlights the power dynamics and compromises required in Washington. Her transformation serves as a cautionary tale about the influence of political power on principles.

Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (R-HI), once a vocal critic of the Deep State and its overreach, has shockingly reversed her stance on one of the most controversial tools of the surveillance state: Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This abrupt about-face, reportedly made to secure her confirmation as Director of National Intelligence (DNI), marks a stunning betrayal of the principles she once claimed to champion. Gabbard's newfound support for warrantless surveillance of Americans stands in stark contrast to her own experience as a target of the very system she now endorses – a system that placed her on a terrorist watchlist under the outgoing Biden administration. Gabbard's transformation from civil liberties advocate to Deep State enabler is a cautionary tale of how power can corrupt even the most outspoken critics. As a congresswoman for the Aloha State, she repeatedly voted against reauthorizing Section 702, a provision that allows intelligence agencies to conduct warrantless searches of Americans’ communications and metadata. She even introduced legislation to repeal the provision in 2020, citing its blatant violation of the Fourth Amendment. Her principled opposition earned her credibility among those who value privacy and constitutional rights. But now, as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for DNI, Gabbard has abandoned her principles in exchange for political power. In a recent statement, she declared her support for Section 702, calling it "crucial" and claiming that reforms have addressed her previous concerns. "If confirmed as DNI, I will uphold Americans' Fourth Amendment rights while maintaining vital national security tools like Section 702 to ensure the safety and freedom of the American people," Gabbard said. This rhetoric rings hollow, however, given the reality of Section 702's abuse. The provision has long been a cornerstone of the surveillance state, enabling the FBI and other agencies to spy on Americans without a warrant. Despite Gabbard’s claims of reform, the program remains deeply flawed. Congress itself has exempted its members and staff from warrantless surveillance, leaving ordinary Americans vulnerable to the same abuses she once decried.

From surveillance state critic to Deep State ally

Gabbard's reversal is particularly galling given her personal experience with the surveillance state. Just last year, she revealed that the outgoing Biden administration had placed her on the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) "Quiet Skies" program, a secretive initiative used to monitor potential domestic terrorists. Under the TSA initiative, she was subjected to invasive searches and surveillance simply for criticizing the Democratic administration's policies. "The Harris-Biden regime has now labeled me a domestic terror threat," Gabbard said in a video at the time. "Why? They see me as a threat to their power." (Related: Tulsi Gabbard: Criticizing Kamala Harris put me on "secret terrorist watchlist.") Her placement on the watchlist sparked bipartisan outrage, with lawmakers like Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) condemning the targeting as politically motivated. Yet, despite this firsthand experience of government overreach, Gabbard has chosen to align herself with the same surveillance apparatus that once targeted her. The Senate Select Intelligence Committee has reportedly made Gabbard's support for Section 702 a condition of her confirmation. This quid pro quo reveals the extent to which the Deep State demands loyalty to its agenda. By capitulating to these demands, Gabbard has not only betrayed her principles but also the millions of Americans who trusted her to stand up to government overreach. Gabbard's confirmation as DNI would mark a troubling victory for the surveillance state. As DNI, she would be required to certify Section 702 annually, ensuring its continued use. Her willingness to do so, despite her past opposition, underscores the corrosive influence of power in Washington. Her journey from critic to collaborator is a stark reminder of the compromises demanded by the Deep State. By supporting Section 702, she has abandoned the fight for civil liberties and embraced the very system she once condemned. Watch former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard explaining why she endorses Donald Trump for president below, which paid off when Trump picked her as the DNI nominee.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

NATURAL NEWS

From surveillance state critic to Deep State ally

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