Tulsi Gabbard Appointed as US Director of National Intelligence
Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been appointed as the US Director of National Intelligence. Read the full article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, has been confirmed by the US Senate as the director of national intelligence, following a campaign by allies of Donald Trump, including Elon Musk.
On Wednesday, her nomination was approved in a 52-48 vote, with only Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky opposing her confirmation.
Gabbard, who has previously run for president and served as an Iraq War veteran, has been a vocal critic of the US intelligence community she is now poised to lead.
Following the vote, McConnell issued a sharp rebuke, stating that Gabbard is unfit for the “critical position” and has a concerning record of poor judgment. “The Senate’s role in advice and consent is not a formality, but a duty—one we must take seriously...” he remarked.
Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022 and has maintained her independent status for the past two years. In mid-November, President Trump nominated her for the intelligence role, stirring backlash from establishment figures who viewed her as a considerable security risk. In 2022, she suggested that the conflict in Ukraine might have been avoided had the US “acknowledged Russia’s legitimate security concerns” regarding Kiev's aspirations to join NATO.
In October, she announced her switch to the Republican Party during a rally in support of Trump's presidential campaign. Her past positions, including support for whistleblower Edward Snowden and a 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, have drawn significant scrutiny.
During her confirmation hearing last week, Gabbard refrained from labeling Snowden a traitor, instead acknowledging that he had “broken the law.”
Despite initial concerns over her lack of intelligence experience, Republicans ultimately rallied behind Gabbard, confirming the 43-year-old former Democrat for the position.
As Director of National Intelligence, she will oversee 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI, which collectively employ over 70,000 personnel responsible for US intelligence operations.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Wednesday, her nomination was approved in a 52-48 vote, with only Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky opposing her confirmation.
Gabbard, who has previously run for president and served as an Iraq War veteran, has been a vocal critic of the US intelligence community she is now poised to lead.
Following the vote, McConnell issued a sharp rebuke, stating that Gabbard is unfit for the “critical position” and has a concerning record of poor judgment. “The Senate’s role in advice and consent is not a formality, but a duty—one we must take seriously...” he remarked.
Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022 and has maintained her independent status for the past two years. In mid-November, President Trump nominated her for the intelligence role, stirring backlash from establishment figures who viewed her as a considerable security risk. In 2022, she suggested that the conflict in Ukraine might have been avoided had the US “acknowledged Russia’s legitimate security concerns” regarding Kiev's aspirations to join NATO.
In October, she announced her switch to the Republican Party during a rally in support of Trump's presidential campaign. Her past positions, including support for whistleblower Edward Snowden and a 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, have drawn significant scrutiny.
During her confirmation hearing last week, Gabbard refrained from labeling Snowden a traitor, instead acknowledging that he had “broken the law.”
Despite initial concerns over her lack of intelligence experience, Republicans ultimately rallied behind Gabbard, confirming the 43-year-old former Democrat for the position.
As Director of National Intelligence, she will oversee 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI, which collectively employ over 70,000 personnel responsible for US intelligence operations.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
