Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, has been confirmed by the US Senate as director of national intelligence, following scrutiny on Capitol Hill over her past positions.
On Wednesday, the Senate approved her nomination in a 52-48 vote, with only one Republican, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, opposing her confirmation.
Gabbard, a former presidential candidate and Iraq War veteran, has been a fierce critic of the US intelligence community she is now set to lead.
In a sharp rebuke following the vote, McConnell claimed Gabbard is unfit for the “critical position” and has a troubling record of poor judgment.
“The Senate’s role in advice and consent is not a formality, but a duty—one we must take seriously...” McConnell stated.
Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022 and has maintained an independent status for two years.
US President Donald Trump picked her for the top intelligence role in mid-November, provoking anger among establishment leaders who labeled her a significant security risk. In 2022, Gabbard contended that the Ukraine conflict might have been prevented if the US “had simply acknowledged Russia’s legitimate security concerns” linked to Kiev’s ambitions to join NATO.
In October, she revealed her decision to join the Republican Party during a rally supporting Trump’s presidential campaign. She has faced intense scrutiny over her past positions, including her support for whistleblower Edward Snowden and a 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
During her confirmation hearing last week, Gabbard declined to call Snowden a traitor, instead stating that he had “broken the law.”
Despite initial concerns about her lack of intelligence experience, Republicans ultimately unified behind Gabbard, confirming the 43-year-old former Democrat to the role.
As Director of National Intelligence, she will oversee 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI, which together employ over 70,000 personnel responsible for handling US intelligence operations.
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