‘Left turn and off the bridge’: Trump's intelligence selection shocks the intel community
The ex-Democratic representative from Hawaii faces numerous critics and lacks formal intelligence experience.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump was anticipated to select an outsider to head the U.S. intelligence community, but he went beyond expectations with his choice of Tulsi Gabbard.
The former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii has faced considerable criticism and lacks formal intelligence experience. She is primarily recognized for her opposition to U.S. military engagements abroad, as well as her favorable views towards autocrats such as Vladimir Putin of Russia and Bashar al-Assad of Syria.
The president-elect's announcement of her nomination for Director of National Intelligence came as a shock to both members of Congress and current and former intelligence officials.
One senior former intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the selection as "left turn and off the bridge.”
Despite the surprise, the choice brought relief to those concerned that Trump might choose the more combative former diplomat Ric Grenell, who had a brief tenure as acting DNI during Trump's first administration.
However, Gabbard’s nomination will likely encounter challenges during her Senate confirmation hearings.
"I have a lot of questions," Sen. Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, remarked to reporters following the announcement.
At 43, Gabbard switched her allegiance from the Democratic Party in 2022 and has since become popular in conservative media circles. She expressed her support for Trump in August and subsequently campaigned alongside him.
Her foreign policy positions have often placed her outside the conventional views held by U.S. national security experts across both major parties.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, she posted a video on X urging Moscow, Washington, and Kyiv to “put geopolitics aside.” She later stated that the conflict could have been averted if the West had assured that Ukraine would not join NATO.
During her time in Congress, in 2017, Gabbard made a secret visit to meet with the Syrian dictator, later asserting that al-Assad “is not the enemy of the United States.”
Gabbard served 17 years in the Hawaii National Guard before joining an Army reserve unit. She has deployed to locations including the Horn of Africa, Kuwait, and Iraq, which she has claimed fostered her skepticism towards U.S. interventionism.
Despite her military background, she did not serve on the House Intelligence Committee during her eight years in Congress.
Concerns regarding Gabbard's potential role as DNI have also been voiced by foreign officials. One Western intelligence official warned that it could lead to decreased information sharing from America's allies. “I imagine even Israel will have serious qualms — America’s main intelligence partner on terrorist threats,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
“Worse still, what some allies share may now be shaped by political goals rather than professional intelligence sharing,” the official added.
Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
The former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii has faced considerable criticism and lacks formal intelligence experience. She is primarily recognized for her opposition to U.S. military engagements abroad, as well as her favorable views towards autocrats such as Vladimir Putin of Russia and Bashar al-Assad of Syria.
The president-elect's announcement of her nomination for Director of National Intelligence came as a shock to both members of Congress and current and former intelligence officials.
One senior former intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the selection as "left turn and off the bridge.”
Despite the surprise, the choice brought relief to those concerned that Trump might choose the more combative former diplomat Ric Grenell, who had a brief tenure as acting DNI during Trump's first administration.
However, Gabbard’s nomination will likely encounter challenges during her Senate confirmation hearings.
"I have a lot of questions," Sen. Mark Warner, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, remarked to reporters following the announcement.
At 43, Gabbard switched her allegiance from the Democratic Party in 2022 and has since become popular in conservative media circles. She expressed her support for Trump in August and subsequently campaigned alongside him.
Her foreign policy positions have often placed her outside the conventional views held by U.S. national security experts across both major parties.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, she posted a video on X urging Moscow, Washington, and Kyiv to “put geopolitics aside.” She later stated that the conflict could have been averted if the West had assured that Ukraine would not join NATO.
During her time in Congress, in 2017, Gabbard made a secret visit to meet with the Syrian dictator, later asserting that al-Assad “is not the enemy of the United States.”
Gabbard served 17 years in the Hawaii National Guard before joining an Army reserve unit. She has deployed to locations including the Horn of Africa, Kuwait, and Iraq, which she has claimed fostered her skepticism towards U.S. interventionism.
Despite her military background, she did not serve on the House Intelligence Committee during her eight years in Congress.
Concerns regarding Gabbard's potential role as DNI have also been voiced by foreign officials. One Western intelligence official warned that it could lead to decreased information sharing from America's allies. “I imagine even Israel will have serious qualms — America’s main intelligence partner on terrorist threats,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the topic.
“Worse still, what some allies share may now be shaped by political goals rather than professional intelligence sharing,” the official added.
Nahal Toosi contributed to this report.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
