Trump says Tulsi Gabbard is softer’ than him on | Political News

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Tulsi Gabbard, his Director of National Intelligence, has a “softer” stance than he does when it comes to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump acknowledged, “I would say that I am very strong on the fact that I don’t want Iran to have a nuclear weapon because if they had a nuclear weapon they’d use it immediately.” He added, “I think she’s probably a little softer on that issue, but that’s OK. Some people are.”

“Most people aren’t,” Trump added. “Most people are saying thank you very a lot for doing what you probably did.”

President Trump was then requested if he still had confidence in Gabbard despite their variations in opinions. “Yeah, sure,” Trump responded to the question.

“I imply, she’s a little bit different in her thought course of than me, but that doesn’t make any individual not out there to serve,” Trump added. The former Democrat has long been considered an anti-interventionist on foreign wars.

Questions about Gabbard’s policies arose after Joe Kent, Gabbard’s top counterterrorism aide and former chief of staff, stepped down and condemned the ongoing conflict in Iran. It was reported that, during a dramatic House hearing, the intelligence director broke from Kent and his assertion that Israel was to blame for U.S. involvement in Iran.

“He said a lot of issues in that letter,” she told the committee. “Ultimately, we’ve got offered the president with the intelligence assessments, and the president is elected by the American people and makes his own selections based on the knowledge that’s out there to him.”

The White House has maintained that it stands behind Gabbard and that her job remains safe after Kent’s resignation. The assertion comes after she testified before the House Intelligence Committee and was cut off by a Democratic panel member.

Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) tried to ask Gabbard about Iran’s nuclear program and her feedback last yr, when she testified that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon. “Last yr, you testified that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon. Do you stand by that assertion? Yes or no?” Gomez asked.

Gabbard began answering, stating, “Context issues with that assertion.” But she was quickly cut off by Gomez, who shouted, “I reclaim my time!”

“Iran had all the supplies needed to do so,” Gabbard continued, pretending she didn’t hear Gomez. But Gomez wasn’t having it.

“I reclaim my time! Mr. Chairman, I reclaim my time!” he shouted, then calmed himself before continuing, “It’s an straightforward reply — you either stand by what you said last yr or not.”

Gabbard responded, “It is a severe query that requires the totality of the knowledge there.” Gomez interrupted her once more, shouting again.

“Director Gabbard, I reclaim my time. I reclaim my time!” he shouted, slamming his hand on the desk. Recentering himself once more, Gomez continued, “When President Trump was requested about your testimony, he said you have been incorrect. Were you mendacity or not?”

“I stand by the Intelligence Community’s full evaluation,” Gabbard calmly responded, barely alarmed but in any other case unrattled by the outbursts.