Former congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard is reportedly struggling to secure Senate support for her nomination as Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a position she was tapped for by President-elect Donald Trump. A new report from The Hill indicates that Gabbard, a once-prominent Democrat turned Trump ally, is facing bipartisan skepticism, with several senators raising concerns about her suitability for the role.
According to The Hill, Gabbard has been meeting with senators in an effort to win confirmation, but her efforts are reportedly falling short. Nearly half a dozen sources, including senators and individuals familiar with the meetings, have described the sit-downs as “not going well.”
Some Republican senators, who form the majority in the Senate, are among those reportedly expressing reservations. One GOP senator told the outlet that multiple colleagues who have met with Gabbard came away unimpressed.
The opposition appears to center on two major issues: Gabbard’s perceived lack of intelligence experience and her controversial relationships with U.S. adversaries.
“She met in 2017 with Syria’s Bashar Assad, whose government was recently overthrown following allegations of chemical weapons use against its own citizens,” The Hill reports. “She has also been a high-profile defender of leaker Edward Snowden and has echoed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s talking points on the Ukraine war.”
These associations, particularly her past defense of Putin’s positions, are seen as red flags for senators like outgoing GOP leader Mitch McConnell, who has been a steadfast advocate for Ukraine during its ongoing conflict with Russia. Such positions make it difficult for Gabbard to gain support from lawmakers concerned about U.S. national security interests and global alliances.
Gabbard and her supporters have dismissed these concerns as political smears designed to block her nomination. They argue that her unconventional approach and willingness to question U.S. foreign policy narratives make her a valuable asset for the role of DNI.
Speaking to reporters, Gabbard said her past actions have been mischaracterized and emphasized her commitment to serving the American people. “I have always put the safety and security of our nation first,” she said. “This is about ensuring we have a strong and independent intelligence community that serves the interests of the American people, not political agendas.”
Her defenders also point to her experience in Congress, particularly on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees, as evidence of her readiness to oversee the nation’s intelligence operations.
Despite the hurdles, Gabbard has the firm backing of President-elect Trump, who has consistently stood by his nominees despite opposition. Trump’s decision to nominate Gabbard was widely seen as a reward for her support during his 2024 presidential campaign, where she played a key role in galvanizing independent and disaffected Democratic voters.
“The president-elect values loyalty and sees Tulsi as someone who shares his vision for a strong, America-first intelligence community,” a senior Trump aide told reporters. “He’s confident she can handle the job and deliver results.”
Gabbard’s confirmation hinges on securing a simple majority in the Senate. With Democrats largely united against her nomination and a growing number of Republicans voicing concerns, her path to confirmation remains uncertain.
If she fails to secure the votes, it would mark a significant setback for the incoming Trump administration, which has already faced resistance to several high-profile cabinet nominations. However, Trump allies remain optimistic, arguing that her confirmation hearings will give Gabbard an opportunity to address concerns and make her case directly to the American people.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Gabbard as she continues her Senate outreach. Her confirmation battle highlights the deep divisions within Washington over foreign policy and the role of the intelligence community.
For now, Gabbard’s fate remains uncertain. Her supporters hope that a combination of Trump’s backing and a persuasive performance during confirmation hearings can sway enough senators to secure her the role of DNI. However, with bipartisan skepticism mounting, the road ahead is anything but clear.
3 Comments
That is what happens when you have numerous democrats within your political party and the Republican Party has long has many of them!
Slimy rinos and putreddems better let her be confirmed or they will regret it come election time
Anita; damn straight they better! We need good people in key locations now ASAP and we’ve had enough of the demolition of America and our lives by these scums in in our Congress they deserve to be locked up, many of them!