Florida Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz stirred controversy by alleging without evidence that Tulsi Gabbard, chosen by President-elect Trump for the role of Director of National Intelligence (DNI), is “likely a Russian asset.”
During her appearance on MSNBC, she claimed,”She is considered to be essentially by most assessments, a Russian asset and would be the most dangerous,” only to be interrupted and asked if this was her belief.
“Yes,” she affirmed, There’s no question. I consider her someone who is likely a Russian asset who would be as the DNI, responsible for managing our entire intelligence community, hold all of our most significant intelligence information and secrets, and essentially would be a direct line to our enemies.”
Wasserman Schultz criticized Gabbard for her clandestine 2017 meeting with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, who faced allegations of using chemical weapons against his citizens amidst the civil war.
“Tulsi Gabbard is someone who has met with war criminals, violated the Department of State’s guidance and secretly clandestinely went to Syria and met with Assad who gassed and attacked his own people with chemical weapons,” Wasserman Schultz remarked.
Her statements attracted intense backlash online. Journalist Glenn Greenwald remarked, “Tulsi Gabbard resigned as DNC Vice Chair in 2016 because Debbie Wasserman Schultz was rigging the election to ensure Hillary won — as Liz Warren, Donna Brazile and WL all showed.”
“Imagine fighting for your country and then having pro-war cretins like this impugn your loyalties,” he added.
With Trump’s presidency looming and Republicans holding a majority in Congress, Democrats are desperate to cling to power.
North Carolina Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel proposed a solution by drawing inspiration from the United Kingdom.
He suggested the creation of a “shadow cabinet” for Democrats to challenge every decision that comes down.
In his Washington Post op-ed, Nickels wrote, “The British have something we don’t: a team from the opposition that mirrors the government’s cabinet members.”
“They watch the cabinet closely, publicly challenging, scrutinizing and offering new ideas. It’s another form of checks and balances — a quiet guardrail that keeps power accountable,” he noted.
His plan involves appointing 26 Democratic leaders in Congress to mimic Trump’s Cabinet, opposing all of the GOP’s initiatives, similar to how the UK’s shadow party is set up.
“They watch the Cabinet closely, publicly challenging, scrutinizing and offering new ideas,” Nickel penned.
“It’s democracy’s insurance policy. And it strengthens the government, too: There is no room for lazy ideas when rivals stand ready.”
