The House Committee on Intelligence interrogated Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Thursday over the conflict with Iran, looking to to pin the intelligence chiefs down on President Donald Trump’s plans in the ongoing military campaign against Iran.

In the hearing to probe threats to America around the world, Gabbard sparred with Democrats over the politicization of intelligence, Israel’s role in the ongoing conflict with Iran, Trump’s decision making, and foreign election interference.

Is Our Intelligence Politicized?

Democrats attempted to probe Gabbard’s view of Operation Epic Fury because of her extensive record criticizing military intervention.

Rep. Ami Bera, D-Calif., pushed Gabbard on whether or not she inserts her personal views into intelligence assessments.

Bera prefaced his question by referencing a speech Gabbard gave on the House floor in 2020 criticizing the strike that killed Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani in which she claimed the strike was “unconstitutional.”

“President Trump has committed an illegal and unconstitutional act of war pushing our nation headlong into a war with Iran without any authorization from congress,” Gabbard said at the time. “A war that would be so costly and devastating that would make Iraq and Afghanistan like a pit.”

“Do you still believe that strikes against Iran that don’t have congressional authorization constitute an illegal and unconstitutional act of war?” Berra asked Gabbard.

Gabbard responded to the representative by stating that her “own personal and political views, I was required to check those at the door.”

“The cost of war weighs heavily upon me and my colleagues here. Especially for those of us who have experienced and seen the cost of war firsthand,” Gabbard stated. “My own personal and political views as I mentioned earlier, I was asked and required by Congress and the president in this role as the Director of National Intelligence to check those views at the door, to ensure that the intelligence assessment are not colored by my personal views.”

“And that is exactly what I am responsible to deliver,” Gabbard added.

As Bera pressed, Gabbard said, “in this role it is essential that I do not allow any of my personal views on any issues to color or bias the intelligence reporting that we deliver to you and to the president.”

Did Israel Force Trump’s Hand in Iran?

Gabbard and Ratcliffe fully denied claims that Israel forced Trump’s hand in striking Iran.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., pressed Gabbard and Ratcliffe on whether Israel forced Trump’s “hand and make us take action.”

On Tuesday, National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent resigned from his post, publishing a letter claiming that Israel dragged America into the conflict with Iran.

“No,” Ratcliffe responded to Gottheimer’s question.

Gottheimer then asked Gabbard if she “agree[s] with the CIA Director’s assessment on that last question.”

“Yes,” Gabbard stated.

After the hearing, Gottheimer posted on social media that, “Iran posed a threat to America’s security and we acted.”

Republicans also questioned the intelligence officials about points noted in Kent’s resignation letter.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., read Kent’s resignation letter during the hearing, and asked Gabbard if she disagrees with Kent’s position.

“He said a lot of things in that letter,” Gabbard responded. “Ultimately, we have provided the president with the intelligence assessments, and the president is elected by the American people and makes his own decisions based on the information that’s available to him.”

Gabbard was then asked by Stefanik if she is concerned with Kent’s remarks, to which she said “yes.”

Who Decides?

Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., asked Gabbard if the is she stands by the statement that the president is the one to determine what is an imminent threat.

“Yes, I do,” Gabbard replied.

Ratcliffe added and said, “the president as the commander in chief gets to make a decision about what’s an imminent threat.”

Gomez loudly interrupted Ratcliffe as the CIA director tried to explain that the intelligence community makes assessments to help the president make informed decisions.

“If the president can determine and ignore what you are doing, why do you guys even have a job?” Gomez asked excitedly. “Like why do even advise him?”

What About Gabbard’s Trip to Puerto Rico?

Gabbard used time at the hearing to respond to Democrat denunciations of her appearance in Puerto Rico last May.

Gabbard oversaw the island’s voting machines for suspicion of vulnerabilities that could be taken advantage of by America’s adversaries.

“There were questions about whether or not there were vulnerabilities that a threat could’ve taken advantage of and that was the purpose of us looking into those vulnerabilities,” Gabbard said.

Gabbard added that “this was done at the request of Puerto Rico’s AUSA attorney.”

She then added that those voting machines are being stored in a DNI facility.

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