Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed as Director of National Intelligence!

Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed as Director of National Intelligence in Contentious Senate Vote

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Senate has confirmed former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in a narrow 52-48 vote. The decision saw unified opposition from Senate Democrats, along with one Republican, Mitch McConnell, who voiced concerns over her past foreign policy positions.

Gabbard, a military veteran and former Democratic presidential candidate, has drawn criticism for her previous statements on Russia and her past meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. During her confirmation hearings, she sought to clarify her stance, acknowledging Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and stating that her views had evolved over time. She also faced scrutiny over her position on NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, declining to label him a traitor while recognizing that he had broken U.S. laws.

Despite early reservations, most Senate Republicans ultimately backed Gabbard, citing her commitment to depoliticizing intelligence and focusing on national security priorities. Senator Lisa Murkowski, one of the key swing votes, said she supported Gabbard because of her independence and willingness to challenge the status quo in the intelligence community.

As the new DNI, Gabbard will oversee 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI, and manage a budget of approximately $100 billion. She has pledged to increase transparency, restore public trust, and prevent intelligence failures, pointing to past missteps such as the faulty assessments that led to the Iraq War. Additionally, she has voiced strong support for maintaining surveillance programs like FISA Section 702 while ensuring proper oversight.

Gabbard’s confirmation marks a significant win for President Donald Trump as he continues assembling his national security team. Following the vote, the Senate moved forward with deliberations on other key administration nominees, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services.