Tulsi GABBARD questioned on international affairs and intelligence issues at hearing

WASHINGTON — There is growing concern in political circles that Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for director of national intelligence could be in serious trouble after a confirmation hearing this past week that left even Republican senators openly questioning whether she should be put in such a critical role, multiple people familiar with the matter told NBC News.

Of particular concern is her refusal to answer directly when asked whether Edward Snowden, a former government contractor who leaked highly classified documents and then sought asylum in Russia, was a traitor.

“It’s 50-50 she gets through,” one person familiar with the confirmation process said of Gabbard.

Democratic senators are expected to unanimously oppose Gabbard’s confirmation in a full floor vote, which would mean she can afford to lose the support of only three GOP senators in order to get confirmed.

Many officials inside the White House were “rattled” by Gabbard’s response to the Snowden question, a person familiar with the White House’s thinking said, adding that she seemed unprepared.

The Snowden moment caught President Donald Trump’s attention, according to another person familiar with the White House’s thinking. As he watched a clip of it, Trump wondered aloud how her lack of a direct answer would play out, this person said.

“He was curious about how it would affect her chances at nomination or if it wouldn’t matter at all,” this person said.