Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence, is gearing up for a potentially heated confirmation hearing this Thursday. Known for her outspoken takes on foreign policy, Gabbard will need to defend her past comments on Russia, Syria, and U.S. intelligence agencies.

One major focus will be her past remarks aligning with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s views on Ukraine. She has argued that NATO and the Biden administration ignored Russia’s security concerns, sharing blame for the conflict. Senators are expected to challenge her on this stance, as well as her failure to consistently condemn Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad.

Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman turned Republican, has also criticized U.S. intelligence agencies. Her past support for figures like Edward Snowden and Julian Assange, who leaked classified information, is likely to come up. Senat‌ors on both sides of the aisle may question whether she’ll rein in intelligence gathering if confirmed.

Her hearing promises to be a lively one, as she defends positions that have sparked controversy for years. Stay tuned for updates as the hearing unfolds.