Tulsi Gabbard has been sworn in as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) of the United States. The oath was administered by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in a ceremony attended by key political figures. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, was confirmed for the position by the U.S. Senate despite her limited experience in intelligence operations.
The Senate confirmed Gabbard’s nomination with a close vote of 52-48 on Wednesday, with all supporting votes coming from Republican senators. However, one Republican senator, Mitch McConnell, opposed the nomination. As DNI, Gabbard will oversee 18 intelligence agencies in the country and serve as a key advisor to President Donald Trump on intelligence matters.
Gabbard’s appointment is considered one of the most controversial nominations by Trump. Her confirmation represents a significant victory for the president, who has been pushing for swift Senate approvals of his key administrative nominees.
At 43, Gabbard faced intense scrutiny before her Senate confirmation. She was questioned about her support for various U.S. adversaries and her lack of experience in intelligence matters. Senators raised concerns about how she would manage the massive $100 billion intelligence budget, given that she had not previously served in any intelligence agency or related congressional committees during her four-year tenure in the House.
The position of Director of National Intelligence was created after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, following a decision by the U.S. Congress. It is regarded as one of the most critical national security roles in the U.S. government.
Emily Harding, Director of the National Security and Technology Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, commented on Gabbard’s nomination, saying, “Selecting a Director of National Intelligence is a significant matter.” Harding emphasized that the DNI has access to all classified intelligence reports and serves as the president’s chief intelligence advisor.
Trump announced Gabbard’s nomination last November, triggering widespread criticism. Many expressed concerns that her appointment could lead to the politicization of intelligence gathering and weaken the integrity of intelligence operations.
Critics of Gabbard have pointed to her controversial positions, including her support for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and her sympathetic stance toward Syria’s ousted president, Bashar al-Assad. In 2017, she even met with Assad, further fueling concerns about her alignment on foreign policy issues.
Despite the controversy surrounding her appointment, Gabbard now holds one of the most powerful positions in the U.S. intelligence community. Her leadership will be closely watched as she navigates the complexities of national security under the Trump administration.