Tulsi Gabbard was officially sworn in as the United States Director of National Intelligence (DNI) following a narrow 52-48 Senate confirmation on Wednesday. Endorsed by President Donald Trump, her appointment puts her in charge of overseeing and coordinating the operations of America’s 18 intelligence agencies.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) was established in response to intelligence failures exposed by the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Opposition and Criticism Over Gabbard’s Appointment
Gabbard’s nomination faced intense scrutiny due to her lack of traditional intelligence experience and absence of prior leadership in a government agency. Critics pointed to her past remarks expressing support for figures such as Edward Snowden and her favorable comments about Syria and Russia.
Senate opposition was fueled by concerns regarding her past visits to Syria, where she met with former President Bashar al-Assad in 2017 despite US sanctions. Additionally, some have criticized her stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, citing her rhetoric as aligning with Kremlin propaganda.
Gabbard Becomes the Second Confirmed Female DNI
Upon assuming office, Gabbard becomes the third woman to hold the DNI title, including acting director Lora Shiao. However, as a Senate-confirmed appointee, she is the second woman to officially occupy the role, following Avril Haines, who was nominated by President Joe Biden in 2020 and confirmed in 2021.
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Following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US Presidential election, he announced Gabbard’s nomination for the role on November 13, 2024. The Senate’s recent vote has now solidified her position.
Who Is Tulsi Gabbard?
Iraq War Veteran: Gabbard, 43, served as a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard with three deployments in war zones across Africa and the Middle East.
Political Background: A former four-term Congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate, she was previously a Democrat before leaving the party in October 2022 to become an independent.
Hindu Heritage: The first Hindu in the US Congress, Gabbard has no Indian ancestry but was often mistaken for Indian-origin due to her religion. Born in American Samoa, she was raised in Hawaii and the Philippines.
Best-Selling Author: She is a New York Times bestselling author and has been active in political and military affairs for over two decades.
Controversies Surrounding Gabbard
Gabbard has been a polarizing figure due to her past foreign policy positions. Critics have repeatedly pointed to her sympathetic rhetoric regarding Russia and her opposition to US surveillance programs.
Edward Snowden Praise: She previously acknowledged Snowden’s disclosures as important but criticized his legal violations.
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Assad Meeting: Her 2017 visit to Syria and meeting with Assad drew bipartisan backlash for seemingly legitimizing a dictator accused of human rights abuses.
Opposition to Section 702: She has opposed the key US surveillance law, which allows intelligence agencies to collect data from foreign suspects.
As the newly appointed Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard will now be tasked with navigating these criticisms while overseeing US intelligence operations in an era of heightened global threats.
Future Implications
With her tenure beginning under scrutiny, Gabbard’s leadership at ODNI will likely remain under close watch as she takes on national security challenges. Whether she can overcome skepticism and effectively lead the intelligence community remains to be seen.
