Tulsi Gabbard fought back against what she called “smears,” declaring she is nobody’s “puppet” before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, faces tough questions from senators on Russia, Syria and Edward Snowden.

Asked by Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich about her 2017 trip to the Middle Eastern country, Gabbard said she met with al-Assad and "asked him tough questions about his own regime's actions," including the "use of chemical weapons and brutal tactics being used against his own people."

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, three of President Trump’s high-profile picks, on Thursday will make their cases for confirmation.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump's nominee to serve as the director of national intelligence, will testify Thursday morning at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. The 43-year-old former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and combat veteran would oversee the nation's 18 spy agencies.

Follow The Post’s live updates from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation hearing in his bid to lead the US Department of Health and Human Services, amid fierce opposition from some family members

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick to be director of national intelligence, is facing tough questions from lawmakers during a confirmation hearing Thursday

Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, is back on Capitol Hill on Thursday facing a second Senate panel in as many days as he vies for confirmation to lead a nearly $2 trillion agency.

Gabbard's career was once defined by championing progressive causes but has since pivoted to sharp criticism of Democrats.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick to be director of national intelligence, defended her past controversial views and told lawmakers during Thursday’s confirmation hearing

The former Hawaii congresswoman isn’t just unqualified to be director of national intelligence, she’s a political opportunist.