Tulsi Gabbard says she now supports surveillance she once tried to end. The issue could decide whether she's confirmed as director of national intelligence.

She's been criticized for comments supportive of Russia's justification for its invasion of Ukraine and a 2017 visit with Syria's former dictator.

What to know about Tulsi Gabbard's confirmation hearing today: Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, is testifying Thursday to the Senate

If she is confirmed as director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard would be the youngest-ever in that role, the first millennial, the first Asian American, and only the second woman to hold the position.

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

Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence, faces a narrow path to confirmation amid concerns on a number of issues.

Ahead of a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing Thursday, the fate of Gabbard’s nomination rests in the hands of a small handful of undecided GOP senators: Maine’s Susan Collins, Indiana’s Todd Young, Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell and Utah’s John Curtis.

President Trump’s pick to be the director of national intelligence is expected to say she will prioritize ending the “politicization” of intelligence.

Among the topics likely to come up at the hearing: her 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, her friendly positions toward Russia and her push to drop charges against Edward Snowden.

Donald Trump’s FBI director pick Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard and Ambassador to the United Nations hopeful Elise Stefanik are among a string of confirmation hearings happening in the Senate today.

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