Republican senators are responding to accusations from Democrats who allege that Tubsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, is compromised due to her past comments and actions regarding Russia and Syria's Assad. Democrats express concerns about her ability to lead intelligence services effectively, claiming that her meeting with Assad and support for Russian narratives endangers U.S. relations with allies. In contrast, GOP lawmakers assert that such criticisms are unfounded and politically motivated, defending Gabbard's military service and calling the accusations a slander against her character.