In 2020, then-Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard introduced legislation calling on the federal government to drop all charges against Edward Snowden, the National Security Agency contractor who in 2013 revealed the existence of the bulk collection of American phone records by the NSA before fleeing to Russia.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick to be the US spy chief, ran into bipartisan criticism over an episode from the past — her championing of Edward Snowden, who rocked the intelligence world 12 years ago with his disclosure of top-secret US spy programs.

Tulsi Gabbard, the nominee for director of national intelligence, repeatedly avoided joining senators in calling Mr. Snowden a traitor.