Senate confirms Tulsi Gabbard as director of National Intelligence

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Wednesday, February 12th, 2025

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Washington, February 12 – The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with a narrow 52-48 vote on Wednesday, after a contentious nomination process. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, now takes on the responsibility of overseeing the U.S. intelligence agencies, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA, with a budget of over $70 billion.
Despite a lack of intelligence experience, Gabbard’s nomination gained support from the Republican majority, although it faced significant opposition. Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was among those who voted against her, citing concerns about her qualifications for such a critical role. In a statement, McConnell emphasized that Gabbard had failed to prove her readiness for the position, especially given her past remarks and views on issues like government surveillance and her controversial stances on figures such as Edward Snowden.
Gabbard’s confirmation followed a series of intense debates, including a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in January where she faced tough questioning about her past comments on surveillance and her relationships with foreign leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. Despite this, she garnered enough support to pass the committee vote along party lines.
After leaving the Democratic Party in 2022, Gabbard became a vocal Trump supporter, joining the Republican Party and endorsing the President before the 2024 election. Her confirmation marks a significant moment in Trump’s administration as the Senate accelerates the confirmation of his cabinet nominees.