Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.) said in an interview Saturday that former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) was chosen to serve by President-elect Trump. as director of national intelligence“not a serious choice” for “an extraordinarily important position”.

Dean told MSNBC’s Alex Witt about himself: “He’s not a serious choice for this extraordinarily important position in national intelligence, overseeing 18 different national intelligence agencies, knowing every single one of the most important secrets that our country must keep closely guarded.” to show. “This is a very frivolous choice and, in fact, very dangerous.”

Trump announced Wednesday: chose Gabbard Director of national intelligence in the next administration.

“Tulsi fought for our Country and the Freedom of all Americans for over twenty years. As a former Democratic Presidential Nominee, he has broad support in both Parties; Now a proud Republican! I know Tulsi will bring to our Intelligence Community the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career, defend our Constitutional Rights, and secure Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!” Trump said in his statement:

Gabbard has shared content in the past implying that the United States previously had a hand in Ukraine’s biological weapons production, perpetuating a narrative from the Russians. He also met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is accused of using chemical weapons on Syrian civilians seven years ago.

“It will also need to be approved by the Senate. Does he have the necessary qualifications for such an important position?” Witt asked Dean about Gabbard.

“Well, definitely not,” Dean replied. “Once again, we see that in all of these appointments, or at least in most of them, these are not serious choices. “This is not a serious person, this is someone — I served next to him in the first Congress I was here three Congresses ago, and he was literally on my bench when (the House Financial Services Committee) was with me.”

“He was rarely there because he was either visiting … voicing Vladimir Putin’s talking points or visiting the President of Syria (Bashar Assad) but he was also not there,” Dean added.

Hill has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Head to The Hill for the latest news, weather, sports and streaming video.