Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed as the director of national intelligence in the Trump administration following a narrow Senate vote.
The former Hawaii congresswoman and ex-Democrat secured the position with a 52-48 vote, making her the president’s top intelligence adviser overseeing 18 agencies within the US intelligence community.
The confirmation follows intense scrutiny over her past statements on Russia, her meeting with Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, and her views on whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Gabbard was sworn in shortly after the vote by Attorney General Pam Bondi at the Oval Office, with President Donald Trump praising her as a woman of “extraordinary courage and exceptional patriotism.” Trump said he had followed her career for years and admired her “great common sense.”
A former Army Reserve lieutenant colonel who served in Iraq, Gabbard previously represented Hawaii in the US House as a Democrat for four terms before leaving the party in 2022 and aligning with the Republican camp.
She later endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign and has since been a vocal supporter of his policies.
Her appointment has raised concerns among intelligence officials and lawmakers, particularly over her past remarks that appeared to align with Russian narratives and her 2017 visit to Syria, where she met Assad.
During her Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on 30 January, Democratic senators pressed her on these issues, arguing that her past positions could affect her impartiality in the role.
Despite these concerns, many Republicans backed her nomination, arguing that Trump should have his chosen team in place.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to oppose her confirmation, stating that she had failed to demonstrate the necessary judgment for the role.
"The nation should not have to worry that intelligence assessments the president receives are tainted by a director with a history of alarming lapses in judgment," he said.
Gabbard, in her post-confirmation remarks, said she was committed to restoring public trust in the intelligence community. She criticised what she called the "weaponisation and politicisation" of intelligence agencies and vowed to refocus their efforts on national security.
"The American people have very little trust in the intelligence community," she said. "I will work to empower the patriots who have chosen to serve our country in this way and ensure the safety, security, and freedom of the American people."
The confirmation process also faced pushback from nearly 100 former intelligence and national security officials, who signed a letter urging the Senate to examine Gabbard’s record in private hearings.
They raised concerns about her perceived sympathies towards authoritarian leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Assad.
During her hearing, Gabbard also refused to explicitly label Snowden a traitor, despite pressure from Democratic senators. She acknowledged that he had broken the law but declined to comment further on whether his actions constituted treason.
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