Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed as US Director of National Intelligence
On February 12, 2025, Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) after a Senate vote of 52-48. As DNI, Gabbard, a former Congresswoman from Hawaii, is responsible for overseeing the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies.
Following a final Senate vote, Tulsi Gabbard was confirmed as the U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The vote was 52-48, with most Republicans supporting her and Democrats opposed. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was the only Republican to vote against her confirmation.
Gabbard, a former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii and a military veteran, now oversees the United States’ intelligence community, coordinating operations among 18 intelligence agencies. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence was created to address intelligence failures exposed by the September 11, 2001, attacks.
Her confirmation followed a pressure campaign by Trump allies, including Elon Musk. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Gabbard in Washington D.C. and congratulated her on her confirmation.
Gabbard’s appointment has stirred controversy because of her lack of direct experience in intelligence oversight and her past remarks on U.S. adversaries. Some senators have voiced concerns regarding her stance on Russia, her meeting with Bashar al-Assad, and her support for Edward Snowden. Despite these concerns, Gabbard has pledged to bring transparency and efficiency to the intelligence community.
The Senate’s confirmation of Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick for DNI, was marked by controversy. While most Republicans supported Gabbard, the sole Republican to oppose her nomination was Senator Mitch McConnell from Kentucky. Democrats remained firmly opposed.
Gabbard’s Background:
A military veteran and former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii.
Served in the US House of Representatives from 2013 to 2021.
Served in the Hawaii Army National Guard, including deployments to Iraq and Kuwait.
Made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency as a Democrat in 2020.
Following her confirmation, Tulsi Gabbard was sworn into office by President Donald Trump. Gabbard stated she was honored and grateful to serve as DNI and knows firsthand how critical accurate, unbiased, and timely intelligence is for the President, Congress, and the military. Prime Minister Narendra Modi fondly recalled his earlier interactions with Gabbard. Their discussions touched on enhancing bilateral intelligence cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, emerging threats, and strategic intelligence sharing.
