Tulsi Gabbard was sworn in as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) on Wednesday after a narrow 52-48 Senate confirmation. The former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii faced strong opposition over her past ties to Russia, a meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, and her previous support for whistleblower Edward Snowden.
A Controversial Pick for U.S. Intelligence
Gabbard’s confirmation sparked debate, with Senate Democrats arguing she lacked intelligence experience and could be too closely aligned with former President Donald Trump’s political agenda. Even some Republicans were initially hesitant, but most ultimately backed her, with only Sen. Mitch McConnell voting against her nomination.
At her swearing-in, Trump praised Gabbard as a “courageous and often lonely voice,” while she pledged to restore public trust in the intelligence community, claiming it had been “weaponized and politicized.”
Reshaping the U.S. Intelligence Community
Gabbard’s appointment is part of Trump’s broader plan to overhaul intelligence agencies. Reports indicate buyout offers have been extended to CIA and other agency staff, while lawmakers have raised concerns about Elon Musk’s access to intelligence databases through his Department of Government Efficiency.
Some Republicans, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski, said they were reassured by Gabbard’s commitment to refocusing intelligence efforts on national security. However, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused Republicans of caving to Trump, arguing Gabbard’s past statements echo Russian propaganda and undermine U.S. intelligence operations.
Gabbard’s Record Under Scrutiny
A lieutenant colonel in the National Guard with two Middle East deployments, Gabbard has never worked for an intelligence agency. During her confirmation hearing, she acknowledged Snowden “broke the law” but maintained that his leaks exposed unconstitutional surveillance. She also defended her 2017 meeting with Assad, saying she pressed him on human rights violations.
As Gabbard steps into her new role, questions remain about her ability to lead the intelligence community and whether she can maintain independence in a politically charged environment.
