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WATCH LIVE: Gabbard, Patel, Ratcliffe testify in House hearing on national security threats
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WATCH LIVE: Gabbard, Patel, Ratcliffe testify in House hearing on national security threats

#Tulsi Gabbard #Kash Patel #John Ratcliffe #House hearing #national security threats #testimony #live broadcast

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, and former DNI John Ratcliffe are testifying before a House committee.
  • The hearing focuses on current and emerging national security threats facing the United States.
  • Testimonies are expected to cover topics like foreign influence, cybersecurity, and geopolitical challenges.
  • The event is being broadcast live, indicating significant public and media interest in the proceedings.

📖 Full Retelling

The hearing offers the public a glimpse into the largely secret operations of the government's intelligence agencies and the threats they confront. They take place at a time of scrutiny over the war with Iran and heightened concerns about terrorism at home

🏷️ Themes

National Security, Congressional Hearing

📚 Related People & Topics

Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard

American politician (born 1981)

# Tulsi Gabbard **Tulsi Gabbard** (born April 12, 1981) is an American politician and U.S. military officer currently serving as the **eighth Director of National Intelligence (DNI)**, a position she has held since 2025. Over her two-decade career in public service, she has held roles in both the l...

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John Ratcliffe

John Ratcliffe

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency since 2025

John Lee Ratcliffe (born October 20, 1965) is an American politician and attorney who has served as the ninth director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) since 2025. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the sixth director of national intelligence from 2020 to 2021 and serv...

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Kash Patel

Kash Patel

Director of the FBI since 2025

Kashyap Pramod Patel (born February 25, 1980) is an American lawyer serving since 2025 as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Patel also served as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from February to April 2025. Patel studied criminal justice a...

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Entity Intersection Graph

Connections for Tulsi Gabbard:

🌐 Iran 6 shared
👤 John Ratcliffe 4 shared
👤 Donald Trump 3 shared
🌐 List of wars involving Iran 2 shared
🌐 Israel 2 shared
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Mentioned Entities

Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard

American politician (born 1981)

John Ratcliffe

John Ratcliffe

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency since 2025

Kash Patel

Kash Patel

Director of the FBI since 2025

Deep Analysis

Why It Matters

This hearing matters because it brings together former officials with intelligence and national security expertise to assess current threats to the United States. It affects national security policy, congressional oversight, and public understanding of risks from foreign adversaries and domestic challenges. The testimony could influence legislative priorities, defense budgeting, and diplomatic strategies, while also shaping political narratives about security preparedness.

Context & Background

  • Tulsi Gabbard is a former Democratic Congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate who has taken controversial foreign policy stances, particularly regarding military intervention.
  • Kash Patel served as Chief of Staff to the Acting Secretary of Defense under President Trump and held roles in the National Security Council and House Intelligence Committee.
  • John Ratcliffe was Director of National Intelligence under President Trump and previously served as a Republican Congressman on the House Intelligence and Judiciary Committees.
  • House hearings on national security threats are regular oversight events, but this one gains attention due to the political profiles of the witnesses and current global tensions.
  • The hearing occurs amid ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, cyber threats from state actors, and debates over border security and terrorism risks.

What Happens Next

Following the testimony, House committees may draft legislation or issue reports based on the findings. The hearing could lead to calls for further investigations or policy changes from both parties. Media and analysts will dissect the statements for political implications, especially with elections approaching. Additional hearings on specific threats (e.g., China, cybersecurity) may be scheduled in the coming months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the key witnesses testifying?

The witnesses are Tulsi Gabbard, a former Congresswoman and presidential candidate; Kash Patel, a former Trump administration defense official; and John Ratcliffe, former Director of National Intelligence. They bring diverse perspectives on security issues from political and intelligence backgrounds.

What national security threats are likely discussed?

Threats likely include foreign adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran, as well as terrorism, cybersecurity risks, border security, and geopolitical conflicts. The hearing may also cover domestic threats and intelligence community challenges.

Why is this hearing politically significant?

It's significant because the witnesses have partisan affiliations, potentially highlighting divides in security approaches. Their testimony could influence election-year debates on defense and foreign policy, with implications for congressional and presidential campaigns.

How does this hearing impact public policy?

The hearing informs lawmakers and the public, potentially shaping legislation on defense spending, intelligence reforms, or diplomatic strategies. It may also spur executive branch actions or oversight investigations into security agencies.

Where can the public watch the testimony?

The hearing is broadcast live on C-SPAN, congressional committee websites, and major news networks. Recordings and transcripts are typically available afterward for public review and analysis.

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Original Source
By — Molly Finnegan Molly Finnegan By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH LIVE: Gabbard, Patel, Ratcliffe testify in House hearing on national security threats Politics Mar 19, 2026 8:15 AM EDT Top U.S. intelligence officials will testify Thursday before the House Select Committee on Intelligence at an open hearing on worldwide threats, the second day of hearings on Capitol Hill focused on the intelligence community's release of its annual assessment of threats to national security. The House hearing on worldwide threats is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. EDT on Thursday, March 19. Watch live in the player above. On Wednesday, Democratic senators pressed Tulsi Gabbard , director of national intelligence, about the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran and whether she offered any guidance to President Donald Trump, among other topics. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. She told lawmakers Wednesday that Iran's regime "appears to be intact but largely degraded" yet repeatedly dodged questions about whether President Donald Trump had been warned about the fallout from the weeks-old war, including Iran's attacks on Gulf nations and its effective closure of the vital Strait of Hormuz. WATCH: Lawmakers press U.S. intelligence officials on Iran war as new strikes jolt oil markets Gabbard also stated in prepared remarks to the Senate Intelligence Committee that U.S. attacks on Iran last year had "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program and that there had been no effort since then to rebuild that capability. The statement was notable given Trump's repeated assertions that a war with Iran was necessary to head off what he said was an imminent threat from the Islamic Republic. Ga...
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