Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, has faced tough questions from lawmakers during a fiery confirmation hearing Thursday.

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

Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's nominee for director of national intelligence, faced heated questions over her past statements on surveillance, Russia, foreign policy and Edward Snowden.

DNI nominee Tulsi Gabbard slammed claims that she is puppet of President Donald Trump or Russia's Vladimir Putin in her opening remarks before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's nominee to serve as the director of national intelligence, answered a question about why she repeated "Russian talking points" about the U.S. supporting al-Qaeda, while opposing U.

Tulsi Gabbard appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday as part of her confirmation process to serve as director of national intelligence.

During confirmation hearings, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard faced tough senate scrutiny on their controversial pasts.

Here’s a look at the former Democrat’s personal life, following her appointment by President-elect Donald Trump as Director of National Intelligence.

Watch the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on President Trump’s nominee for national intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard

Danica Patrick, known for her strong motorsport career as a female in the industry, has recently confirmed her support for Tulsi Gabbard, nominated by President Donald Trump for the role of National Intelligence Director. She used her Instagram stories, via Sportskeeda, to share a Newsmax post that defended Gabbard (below).

Tulsi Gabbard is expected to face tough questions from lawmakers Thursday over past comments about Russia and a 2017 visit with Syria’s now-deposed leader.