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.

The former Hawaii congresswoman isn’t just unqualified to be director of national intelligence, she’s a political opportunist.

Senators questioned Gabbard about views seen as echoing Russia's justification of its war, criticism of US involvement in Syria and a 2017 meeting with Bashar al-Assad.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, faces tough questions from senators on Russia, Syria and Edward Snowden.

President Trump’s choice to serve as the director of national intelligence faced tough questions from senators in both parties.

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's Intel Chief nominee, confronted over her views on Putin and Ukraine during a heated Senate hearing.- Watch Video on English Oneindia

Former Democrat and military veteran Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence was grilled about her past remarks supporting government whistleblower Edward Snowden as well as her relationships with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syria's former dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Tulsi Gabbard and Kash Patel faced senators Thursday in an intense atmosphere that at one point saw one lawmaker raise his voice – from Gabbard's speech on refusing to be a political "puppet" to Patel's "Would You Rather" responses,

Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, faces tough questions from senators on Russia, Syria and Edward Snowden.

Tulsi Gabbard fought back against what she called “smears,” declaring she is nobody’s “puppet” before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Ms. Gabbard, President Trump’s pick for national intelligence director, was repeatedly asked during a confirmation hearing whether Edward Snowden’s leaks made him a traitor. Ms. Gabbard told senators only that he “broke the law.