Gabbard has been accused of spreading Russian propaganda and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton once referred to her as a "Russian asset."

Gabbard was named Wednesday by President-elect Donald Trump as his pick for director of national intelligence.

Tulsi Gabbard - a former Democrat congresswoman who joined the Republican Party to back Donald Trump - is the president-elect's pick for director of national intelligence. The wide-ranging role would mean she oversees US intelligence agencies like the CIA,