Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he was “surprised” that director of national intelligence nominee Tulsi Gabbard refused to call former NSA contractor Edward Snowden a “traitor” after being repeatedly pressed on the question at a Thursday hearing.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s pick to be the next director of national intelligence, endured a difficult hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday as lawmakers pressed her on her views on Edward Snowden,

Colo., both pressed Tulsi Gabbard about if she viewed Edward Snowden as a traitor or not during her confirmation hearing to serve as the director of national intelligence.

"This is a big deal to everybody here, because its a big deal to everybody you'll also oversee," said Sen. James Lankford.