On Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced that she recommended charges related to a pair of leaks.
&#8220;Politicization of our intelligence and leaking classified information puts our nation’s security at risk and must end. Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,&#8221; Gabbard <a href="https://x.com/DNIGabbard/status/1915150870255210774" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post on X.
&#8220;Today, I referred two intelligence community LEAKS to the Department of Justice for criminal referral, with a third criminal referral on its way, which includes the recent illegal leak to the Washington Post,&#8221; she added.
Gabbard was alluding to a disclosure on Iran and Israel to The Washington Post, which she <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gabbard-aggressively-pursuing-intel-community-leaks-to-legacy-media" target="_blank" rel="noopener">referenced</a> in March when announcing her inquiry into various leaks to the media.
The post did not disclose any further information, including who may have been the subject of the referrals. It remains to been seen whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) and its FBI look into the matter and decide whether charges are warranted.
&#8220;These deep-state criminals leaked classified information for partisan political purposes to undermine POTUS’ agenda. I look forward to working with [the DOJ] and [the FBI] to investigate, terminate and prosecute these criminals,&#8221; Gabbard concluded.
A combat veteran and former House lawmaker from Hawaii, Gabbard was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-confirms-tulsi-gabbard-as-director-of-national-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> by GOP-led Senate to become the director of national intelligence in President Donald Trump&#8217;s administration in mid-February via a 52-48 vote.
One month later, Gabbard vowed to track down leakers within the vast U.S. Intelligence Community, which has 18 <a href="https://www.dni.gov/index.php/what-we-do/members-of-the-ic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">members</a> that include the CIA, National Security Agency, military branches, and the FBI.
&#8220;Our nation’s Intelligence Community must be focused on our national security mission. Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated,&#8221; Gabbard <a href="https://x.com/DNIGabbard/status/1900525561786646903" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at the time in a threat posted to X.
&#8220;Unfortunately, such leaks have become commonplace with no investigation or accountability. That ends now. We know of and are aggressively pursuing recent leakers from within the Intelligence Community and will hold them accountable,&#8221; she continued.
Gabbard then listed some &#8220;recent examples of unauthorized leaks&#8221; within the Intelligence Community that resulted in disclosures to The Washington Post, HuffPost, and The Record. She also mentioned a &#8220;leaker within the IC sharing information about the U.S. &#8211; Russia relationship with NBC.&#8221;
She concluded that X thread by saying: &#8220;Any unauthorized release of classified information is a violation of the law and will be treated as such.&#8221;
The probe was announced before The Atlantic&#8217;s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg first reported that he gained access to a Signal group chat group in which leading Trump administration officials discussed plans for airstrikes on Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists in Yemen.
In the ensuing fallout, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz took responsibility for the breach, which has been <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/so-damn-dangerous-signal-chat-breach-linked-to-automated-suggestion-feature-on-iphone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">linked</a> to the “automated suggestion” feature on his iPhone. But the Trump administration denied there was classified information in the conversation and the president has stood by Waltz.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard Targets ‘Deep-State’ Intelligence Leakers With Criminal Referrals

Director of National Intelligence

Leak

National Intelligence

National Security

Tulsi Gabbard

U.S.

Lawyers representing Tulsi Gabbard are threatening to sue CNN for defamation if the network publishes a story accusing the Director of National Intelligence of voter fraud, according to a legal <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/848025125/Lawyers-For-Tulsi-Gabbard-Threaten-CNN">cease and desist letter</a> obtained by The Daily Wire.
In the letter, dated April 4, lawyers representing Gabbard state that they learned a day earlier that CNN “plans to publish a story that falsely asserts or implies that Tulsi Gabbard committed voter fraud and suggests that she had abandoned her longstanding Hawaii residency.”
The story, according to the letter, is based on Gabbard’s <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13252435/Tulsi-Gabbard-Trump-vice-president-pick-buys-property-Leander-Texas-Hawaii.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2024 purchase</a> of a Texas house — CNN apparently planned to write that Gabbard improperly voted in Hawaii in 2024 when she should have voted in Texas, because she declared a “homestead exemption” at that property. The lawyers, the letter shows, inform CNN that Texas law does not indefinitely bind homestead to your residence, and that Gabbard “was, is, and intends to remain a Hawaii resident.”
Gabbard, a former Democrat who left the party, was raised in Hawaii, served in its state legislature, and represented the state Congress for nearly a decade. Olivia Coleman, press secretary for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, told The Daily Wire that “illegitimate claims of voter fraud are a new low, even for CNN.”
“DNI Gabbard voted in Hawaii during the 2024 election because she is and has been a tax paying Hawaii resident,” Coleman said. “Her current status is no different than when she was a Member of Congress, where she maintained a mainland residence and a Hawaii residence as a tax-paying voter.”
The legal letter informs CNN that Gabbard “took the advice of local officials to register a homestead exemption to protect her and her family’s privacy.”
“Declaring her ‘homestead’ in Texas, per law, ensured her address would remain confidential in response to ongoing, high-level, credible threats against her and her family,” Coleman exmplained. “Any claim to the contrary is simply dishonest and is yet another smear job from discredited CNN that could put the Director and her loved ones further at risk.”
It is unclear whether CNN plans to publish its report, or if the network has additional evidence not referenced in the legal letter. CNN did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
It is also unclear what motive Gabbard would have for fraudulently maintaining residence in Hawaii while living primarily in Texas. Politically, Texas is a much more electorally competitive state than Hawaii. And financially, Hawaii has one of the highest state income taxes in the country, while Texas is one of eight states with no income tax at all.
In their letter, Gabbard’s lawyers cite a court case which states that while a designated homestead is “relevant to consideration of residence,” it is “not dispositive.” Gabbard presently spends most of her time in Virginia, where the Office of the Director of National Intelligence is headquartered.
In support of the claims of defamation, Gabbard’s lawyers state in the letter that the “demonstrably false” statements “have the potential to cause significant harm to her personal and professional reputation.”
“The allegations meet the legal standard for defamation per se, as they falsely accuse Director Gabbard of criminal conduct, which is inherently damaging to her reputation,” the letter says.
In 2022, CNN published an article titled, “<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/04/politics/election-fraud-trump-no-evidence/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Election fraud isn’t really a thing, part infinity</a>.”
Read the full letter below:
<iframe loading="lazy" class="scribd_iframe_embed" tabindex="0" title="Lawyers For Tulsi Gabbard Threaten CNN" src="https://www.scribd.com/embeds/848025125/content?start_page=1&amp;view_mode=scroll&amp;access_key=key-um1BZ4O1374vubmtbWEE" width="100%" height="600" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" data-auto-height="true" data-aspect-ratio="0.7729220222793488"></iframe>
<a style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Lawyers For Tulsi Gabbard Threaten CNN on Scribd" href="https://www.scribd.com/document/848025125/Lawyers-For-Tulsi-Gabbard-Threaten-CNN#from_embed"> Lawyers For Tulsi Gabbard Threaten CNN </a> by <a style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Daily Wire Investigations Team's profile on Scribd" href="https://www.scribd.com/user/694252498/Daily-Wire-Investigations-Team#from_embed"> Daily Wire Investigations Team </a>

Tulsi Gabbard/CNN

Tulsi Gabbard Threatens To Sue CNN For ‘Smear Job’ Accusing Her Of Voter Fraud

Voting

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently completed her second international trip, where she met with world leaders from Japan to Thailand to focus on advancing &#8220;America First policies&#8221; across the Indo-Pacific region, according to a summary of her trip shared with The Daily Wire.
During her trip, Gabbard went to Hawaii, Japan, Thailand, India, and France, a spokesman for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said. 
“President Trump remains unwavering in his commitment to achieving peace through a strategy rooted in realism and pragmatism,” Gabbard said. “Securing peace through strength requires strong leadership with a clear-eyed and realistic understanding of global challenges and opportunities, a commitment to fostering cultural and economic ties that reduce the likelihood of an escalation to conflict, and a dedication to reinforcing mutual interests.”
While in Hawaii, Gabbard spoke with U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, senior NSA leaders and intelligence officers, and Naval Special Warfare sailors.
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It was great meeting with Naval Special Warfare Sailors at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam this week, learning more about their maritime special operations capabilities. Mahalo to our servicemen and women who serve our country every day at home and abroad! <a href="https://t.co/QEHj5G5EFW">pic.twitter.com/QEHj5G5EFW</a>
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1900521451490361618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Having been born and raised in the Indo-Pacific region, DNI Gabbard brought a nuanced understanding of the area’s crucial partnerships and complex challenges as she explored opportunities to advance President Trump’s America First policies across the Indo-Pacific,&#8221; the ODNI spokesman said.
The spokesman added that Gabbard &#8220;reiterated the importance of accurate and timely intelligence that protects Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights&#8221; during a visit to the NSA&#8217;s Hawaii headquarters. 
While in Japan and Thailand, Gabbard met with intelligence officers and other senior diplomats to discuss intelligence collaboration.
&#8220;While she did not have the opportunity to visit Hiroshima or Nagasaki during this trip, she looks forward to doing so on her next visit to the region, to honor the lives lost, highlight the immeasurable cost of nuclear war, and President Trump’s commitment to counterproliferation and preventing nuclear war,&#8221; the spokesman said. 
Gabbard met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss intelligence-sharing and counterterrorism. She also spoke in India at the Raisina Dialogue, an Indian conference on geopolitics and economics.

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi

Here’s How Tulsi Gabbard Spent Her Second International Trip As Director Of National Intelligence

Japan

National Security Agency (NSA)

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Friday that she was &#8220;aggressively pursuing” individuals within the intelligence community who have leaked information to legacy media outlets, such as NBC News and The Washington Post.
Gabbard said that leakers violated the law by providing reporters with classified information about American foreign policy on Iran, Israel, and Russia. 
“Our nation’s Intelligence Community must be focused on our national security mission. Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated,” Gabbard posted on X. “Unfortunately, such leaks have become commonplace with no investigation or accountability.  That ends now. We know of and are aggressively pursuing recent leakers from within the Intelligence Community and will hold them accountable.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Our nation’s Intelligence Community must be focused on our national security mission. Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated.
Unfortunately, such leaks have become commonplace with no…
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) <a href="https://twitter.com/DNIGabbard/status/1900525554039939309?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2025</a></blockquote>
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She then listed several examples of &#8220;unauthorized leaks.” 
In one case, she said a leaker had been sharing “classified information” with the liberal outlet Huffington Post but did not specify on what topic. In another example, Gabbard referenced unauthorized leaks on Iran and Israel to The Washington Post. 
Another intel worker gave NBC News information on the U.S.-Russia relationship, Gabbard said, and a different person told The Record about activities of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center. 
“Any unauthorized release of classified information is a violation of the law and will be treated as such,” Gabbard said. 
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) praised Gabbard’s announcement. 
“I&#8217;m grateful that [Gabbard] is working to end leaking and the weaponization of the Intelligence Community,” he <a href="https://x.com/TomCottonAR/status/1900563534645195240" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on X. “Another promise made and promise kept.”
Gabbard was narrowly <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-confirms-tulsi-gabbard-as-director-of-national-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> as DNI last month in a 52-48 vote. During her confirmation hearing, she promised to end the politicization of intelligence and restore trust in the national security apparatus tasked with protecting American citizens.

Senate Intelligence Cmte Holds Confirmation Hearing For DNI Nominee Tulsi Gabbard

Gabbard ‘Aggressively Pursuing’ Intel Community Leaks To Legacy Media

Huffington Post

Legacy Media

Media

NBC News

Politics

Washington Post

WASHINGTON—Members of the intelligence community are investigating the potential implications of Apple sharing users&#8217; iCloud data with the United Kingdom, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Tuesday.
In a letter to members of Congress first obtained by The Daily Wire, Gabbard addressed reports that the United Kingdom served Apple with a secret order demanding a &#8220;back door&#8221; to its iCloud encryption to &#8220;facilitate UK government access to any Apple iCloud users&#8217; uploaded data anywhere in the world,&#8221; as Gabbard wrote.
&#8220;I share your grave concern about the serious implications of the United Kingdom, or any foreign country, requiring Apple or any company to create a &#8216;backdoor&#8217; that would allow access to Americans&#8217; personal encrypted data,&#8221; Gabbard wrote to Senator Ron Wyden and Congressman Andy Biggs. &#8220;This would be a clear and egregious violation of Americans’ privacy and civil liberties, and open up a serious vulnerability for cyber exploitation by adversarial actors.&#8221;
<h3><a href="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/DNI-Wyden-Biggs-Response-1.pdf">READ GABBARD&#8217;S FULL LETTER HERE</a></h3>
Gabbard was not made aware of the order by the United Kingdom or Apple before it <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c20g288yldko">was reported in the media</a> earlier this month, she said. Just last week, Apple removed its highest-level data security tool, &#8220;Advanced Data Protection,&#8221; from British customers, meaning that not all United Kingdom customer data stored on iCloud will be fully encrypted, <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgj54eq4vejo">according to the BBC</a>.
&#8220;I have requested my counterparts at CIA, DIA, DHS, FBI and NSA to provide insights regarding the publicly reported actions, and will subsequently engage with UK government officials,&#8221; said Gabbard. &#8220;The UK’s Investigatory Powers Act of 2016, also known as the Snoopers’ Charter, which I understand would be at issue, allows the UK to issue a &#8216;gag order,&#8217; which would prevent Apple or any company from voicing their concerns with myself, or the public.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_883303" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-tulsi-gabbard-to-probe-national-security-implications-of-uks-demands-to-apple/president-trump-swears-in-tulsi-gabbard-as-director-of-national-intelligence-2" rel="attachment wp-att-883303"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-883303" class="wp-image-883303 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-2198554496-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-2198554496-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-2198554496-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-2198554496-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-2198554496-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-2198554496-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-2198554496-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/02/GettyImages-2198554496-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images</div>
The new Director of National Intelligence also said that she directed a senior Intelligence Community officer to work with ODNI&#8217;s Office of Civil Liberties, Privacy, and Transparency as well as ODNI&#8217;s Office of Partner Engagement &#8220;to outline the potential implications of the United Kingdom compelling an American company to create a &#8216;back door&#8217; that would allow the UK government to retrieve private user content.&#8221;
Initial review of the United States and United Kingdom bilateral CLOUD Act Agreement shows that the United Kingdom may not issue demands for data of American citizens, lawful permanent residents, or nationals, Gabbard said, nor can the United Kingdom demand data of people in the United States. Similarly, the United States cannot use the CLOUD Act agreement to demand data from people in the United Kingdom.
&#8220;Any information sharing between a government—any government—and private companies must be done in a manner that respects and protects the U.S. law and the Constitutional rights of U.S. citizens,&#8221; Gabbard wrote. &#8220;I look forward to ensuring the UK government has taken necessary actions to protect the privacy of American citizens, consistent with the CLOUD Act and other applicable laws, irrespective of any press reporting.&#8221;
While Gabbard said that U.S. intelligence relationships with foreign partners are of &#8220;vital importance to our national security,&#8221; she also emphasized that her obligations as Director of National Intelligence &#8220;include protecting both the security of our country and the God-given rights of the American people enshrined in the U.S. Constitution.&#8221;
&#8220;I look forward to working with my foreign counterparts to achieve both,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I remain committed to keeping Congress currently and fully informed of developments on this and other intelligence-related matters.&#8221;
Gabbard&#8217;s letter comes ahead of a high-profile visit from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will arrive in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night ahead of his visit with President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, Starmer said that he will increase Britain&#8217;s military spending from 2.3% of the country&#8217;s GDP to 2.5% by 2027 — and the next year, to 2.6%, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/25/uk/uk-defense-spending-increase-trump-intl/index.html">CNN reported</a>. The prime minister reportedly wishes to be a &#8220;bridge&#8221; between Trump and European countries, POLITICO reports, and Trump&#8217;s recent efforts to end the war in Ukraine have reportedly increased Starmer&#8217;s urgency.

US-POLITICS-INTELLIGENCE-GABBARD

EXCLUSIVE: Tulsi Gabbard To Probe National Security Implications Of UK’s Demands To Apple

Apple

On Wednesday, the GOP-led <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate</a> confirmed <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tulsi-gabbard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tulsi Gabbard</a> to become the director of national intelligence in President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a>&#8216;s second-term administration.
Although Democrats and the independents who caucus with them became unified in opposing Gabbard, the Cabinet pick who will now oversee the U.S. intelligence community managed to woo a handful of Republican holdouts concerned over some of her stances on key national security issues.
The final vote, which had been pushed back from the overnight hours while a storm blanketed Washington, D.C., with snow, was 52-48, mostly along party lines. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was the only GOP lawmaker to vote against Gabbard&#8217;s confirmation.
Gabbard is a combat veteran, former House lawmaker from Hawaii, ex-vice chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, and 2020 presidential candidate. She <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/elite-cabal-of-warmongers-tulsi-gabbard-says-she-is-no-longer-a-democrat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broke with</a> the Democratic Party in 2022. Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-taps-tulsi-gabbard-for-director-of-national-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nominated</a> Gabbard for the spy chief role in November after she endorsed his 2024 campaign and <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgm7n0xgnzzo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">served</a> on his transition team.
&#8220;I am pleased to announce that former Congresswoman, Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, will serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans,&#8221; Trump said in a statement.
&#8220;As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican!” Trump added. &#8220;I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!&#8221;
During her confirmation hearing last month, Gabbard <a href="https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/os-tgabbard-013025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">testified</a> about ending the politicization of intelligence and restoring trust in the national security apparatus tasked with protecting American citizens. Gabbard also <a href="https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1884999136346268020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called out</a> what she said were attempts by critics to cast herself and Trump as a &#8220;puppet&#8221; to others, claiming that what &#8220;truly unsettles&#8221; them is that &#8220;I refuse to be their puppet.&#8221;
While seeking to win over support from senators, Gabbard sought to assuage the reservations that some Republicans had about her views on leaders of foreign adversaries, including Russia&#8217;s Vladimir Putin and Syria&#8217;s Bashar al-Assad, and stance on Edward Snowden, a former U.S. intelligence contractor who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breaking-u-s-expat-edward-snowden-granted-russian-citizenship" target="_blank" rel="noopener">leaked</a> thousands of secret documents on domestic surveillance programs and global security operations.
Last week, the Senate Intelligence Committee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gabbard-approved-by-intelligence-committee-moves-forward-to-senate-confirmation-vote" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted 9-8</a> along party lines to advance Gabbard&#8217;s nomination after she won over Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Todd Young (R-IN). Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and <a href="https://x.com/SenBillCassidy/status/1889084088516067517" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bill Cassidy (R-LA)</a> announced on Monday, when the Senate <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-breaks-filibuster-on-tulsi-gabbard-nomination" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broke the filibuster</a> on Gabbard&#8217;s nomination, that they would also vote in favor of confirmation.
&#8220;I will vote to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence,&#8221; Murkowski <a href="https://x.com/lisamurkowski/status/1889107778762858707" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X. &#8220;While I continue to have concerns about certain positions she has previously taken, I appreciate her commitment to rein in the outsized scope of the agency, while still enabling the ODNI to continue its essential function in upholding national security. As she brings independent thinking and necessary oversight to her new role, I am counting on her to ensure the safety and civil liberties of American citizens remain rigorously protected.&#8221;
Securing the support of holdout GOP senators was critical as they hold a 53-47 majority in the upper chamber and the Democrats and their independent allies banded together against Gabbard.
&#8220;Tulsi Gabbard speaks the language of falsehoods and conspiracy theories,&#8221; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) <a href="https://x.com/SenSchumer/status/1889407612858540186" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X on Tuesday. &#8220;She has spent her entire career sympathizing with the likes of Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad. She is not qualified to lead America’s intelligence agencies.&#8221;
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who had shown openness to some of Trump&#8217;s nominees in the past, <a href="https://x.com/SenFettermanPA/status/1887689036690501934" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> last week that he would not vote for Gabbard or Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the president&#8217;s choice to lead the Health and Human Services Department.
&#8220;I have met with most of the cabinet nominees and have carefully watched their confirmation hearings,&#8221; Fetterman <a href="https://x.com/SenFettermanPA/status/1887689036690501934" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X. &#8220;After considering what’s at stake, I have voted against moving forward to the confirmation of Ms. Gabbard and Mr. Kennedy, and will be voting NO on their confirmations.&#8221;
A little more than a dozen of Trump&#8217;s Cabinet nominees have been confirmed so far in a process that has been stretched out as Democrats employ delay tactics. On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/dem-delay-tactics-push-back-vote-on-kash-patel-for-fbi-director" target="_blank" rel="noopener">delayed</a> a vote on Kash Patel&#8217;s bid to lead the FBI by a week after Democrats requested a hold. This also happened with Pam Bondi, who has since been <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-confirms-pam-bondi-for-attorney-general" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> as U.S. Attorney General. Next up, the full Senate is poised to vote on confirming Kennedy&#8217;s nomination this week.

Senate Confirms Tulsi Gabbard As Director Of National Intelligence

Cabinet

Congress

Donald Trump

Presidential nomination

U.S. Senate

On Monday, the GOP-led <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate</a> voted to break the filibuster on President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/donald-trump" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Donald Trump</a>&#8216;s nomination of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tulsi-gabbard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tulsi Gabbard</a> to become the director of national intelligence in his second-term administration.
The vote to invoke cloture on the Cabinet nominee was 52-46 along party lines. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Fetterman (D-PA) did not vote. Lawmakers have up to 30 hours of debate before a final confirmation vote.
Gabbard is a combat veteran, former House lawmaker from Hawaii, and 2020 presidential candidate who <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/elite-cabal-of-warmongers-tulsi-gabbard-says-she-is-no-longer-a-democrat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broke with</a> the Democratic Party in 2022. Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-taps-tulsi-gabbard-for-director-of-national-intelligence" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nominated</a> her for the spy chief role in November.
&#8220;I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength,&#8221; Trump said in a statement.
During her confirmation hearing at the end of January, Gabbard <a href="https://www.intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/os-tgabbard-013025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">testified</a> about ending the politicization of intelligence and restoring trust in the national security apparatus tasked with protecting American citizens.
Gabbard also <a href="https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1884999136346268020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called out</a> what she said were attempts by critics to cast herself and Trump as a &#8220;puppet&#8221; to others, including Russia&#8217;s Vladimir Putin, claiming that what &#8220;truly unsettles&#8221; them is &#8220;I refuse to be their puppet.&#8221;
Last week, the Intelligence Committee <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gabbard-approved-by-intelligence-committee-moves-forward-to-senate-confirmation-vote" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted 9-8</a> along party lines to advance Gabbard&#8217;s nomination. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to become Secretary of Health and Human Services, also passed out of committee.
Gabbard apparently had alleviated concerns among some GOP senators over her stance on Edward Snowden and pledged in a letter to hold accountable those who make unauthorized disclosures of intelligence programs.
On Monday, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) became the latest to publicly declare that she would vote for Gabbard even as the lawmaker noted that she had reservations about some of the nominee&#8217;s past positions.
&#8220;I appreciate her commitment to rein in the outsized scope of the agency, while still enabling the ODNI to continue its essential function in upholding national security,&#8221; Murkowksi <a href="https://x.com/lisamurkowski/status/1889107778762858707" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a statement.
Securing the support of most if not all GOP senators will be key for Gabbard in the final confirmation vote after Fetterman, who had shown openness to some of Trump&#8217;s nominees, <a href="https://x.com/SenFettermanPA/status/1887689036690501934" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> he would not vote for her or Kennedy.
The Senate has confirmed a little more than a dozen of Trump&#8217;s second term Cabinet nominees, a process that has been stretched out as Democrats employ a number of delay tactics, such as forcing procedural votes.
On Thursday, the Judiciary Committee delayed a vote on Kash Patel&#8217;s bid to lead the FBI by a week after Democrats requested a hold. This also happened with Pam Bondi, who has since been <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-confirms-pam-bondi-for-attorney-general" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> as U.S. Attorney General.
&#8220;By this time in the Obama admin, TWICE as many of his noms were confirmed,&#8221; Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) <a href="https://x.com/SenRickScott/status/1888662591742128147" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on X. &#8220;It&#8217;s a total double standard from Democrats, but we won&#8217;t give up. We will confirm Trump’s entire team.&#8221;

Senate Breaks Filibuster On Tulsi Gabbard Nomination

The Senate Intelligence Committee voted on Tuesday to advance the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to the full U.S. Senate to be President Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence. The vote was strictly partisan, with all nine GOP members of the committee voting for her and all eight Democrats voting against her.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
🚨 BREAKING: <a href="https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TulsiGabbard</a>&#39;s nomination was just APPROVED in the Senate Intelligence Committee. Final vote: 9-8. Next: Senate floor vote for confirmation.
&mdash; Markwayne Mullin (@SenMullin) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenMullin/status/1886862264126325108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Committee Chairman Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) had strongly championed Gabbard for the post. “I support Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination. I’ve been working with her to move towards confirmation, and I look forward to working with her for four years for the badly needed reforms in our intelligence community,” Cotton<a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5115945-gabbard-nomination-confirmed/"> said</a> in late January. He added that she “understands” that “our intelligence community has grown too bloated, too bureaucratic, and it doesn’t do enough collection of intelligence. &#8230; She has spent more than 20 years in uniform serving our nation. She’s ready to serve again in this position &#8230;”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Tulsi Gabbard is a patriot who is more than qualified to lead ODNI. <a href="https://t.co/m7ouTJbY7F">pic.twitter.com/m7ouTJbY7F</a>
&mdash; Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenTomCotton/status/1885339898837615070?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;
Before the vote, Gabbard had gained steam when two GOP senators who had been undecided stated they would vote for her: Susan Collins of Maine and Todd Young of Indiana.
“American intelligence officers around the globe deserve our respect and support. I appreciate Tulsi Gabbard’s engagement with me on a variety of issues to ensure that our intelligence professionals will be supported and policymakers will receive unbiased information under her leadership,” Young told <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/02/04/congress/todd-young-tulsi-gabbard-00202307">POLITICO</a> Tuesday morning.
“I have done what the Framers envisioned for senators to do: use the consultative process to seek firm commitments, in this case commitments that will advance our national security, which is my top priority as a former Marine Corps intelligence officer,” he continued. “Having now secured these commitments, I will support Tulsi’s nomination and look forward to working with her to protect our national security.”
Young had expressed concerns about Gabbard’s attitude toward Edward Snowden, having told her during last week’s hearings: “I think it would befit you, and be helpful to the way you are perceived by members of the intelligence community if you would at least acknowledge the greatest whistleblower in American history, so-called, harmed national security by breaking the laws of the land.”
Gabbard apparently allayed Young’s concerns with a letter in which she stated:
<blockquote>
I commit to holding accountable and seeking justice against any Intelligence Community employee, contractor or subcontractor from making an unauthorized disclosure of any intelligence program. I will not advocate for any protections which should only be extended to lawful and legitimate whistleblowers to any Intelligence Community employee, contractor or subcontractor who makes or facilitates an unauthorized disclosure of any intelligence program. … I commit to not making any recommendation in a personal or professional capacity regarding the legal standing of Edward Snowden to the President of the United States or the Attorney General of the United States.
</blockquote>

Tulsi Gabbard’s Senate confirmation hearing for national intelligence director in Washington

Gabbard Approved By Intelligence Committee, Moves Forward To Senate Confirmation Vote

Senate Intelligence Committee

The move toward advancing Tulsi Gabbard out of the Senate Intelligence Committee and to a full Senate vote on her confirmation as director of national intelligence is gaining steam as GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Todd Young of Indiana have now said they will vote for her.
“American intelligence officers around the globe deserve our respect and support. I appreciate Tulsi Gabbard’s engagement with me on a variety of issues to ensure that our intelligence professionals will be supported and policymakers will receive unbiased information under her leadership,” Young told <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/02/04/congress/todd-young-tulsi-gabbard-00202307">POLITICO</a> Tuesday morning.
“I have done what the Framers envisioned for senators to do: use the consultative process to seek firm commitments, in this case commitments that will advance our national security, which is my top priority as a former Marine Corps intelligence officer,” he continued. “Having now secured these commitments, I will support Tulsi’s nomination and look forward to working with her to protect our national security.”
Young had expressed concerns about Gabbard’s attitude toward Edward Snowden, having told her during last week’s hearings: “I think it would befit you, and be helpful to the way you are perceived by members of the intelligence community if you would at least acknowledge the greatest whistleblower in American history, so-called, harmed national security by breaking the laws of the land.”
Snowden, a former National Security Agency contractor, quit his job in 2013 and took hundreds of thousands of documents that revealed details of American foreign and domestic surveillance programs.
“In advance of their partial publication by The Guardian and the Washington Post, he fled to Hong Kong — a city controlled then as now by the People’s Republic of China,” Jeffrey Blehar <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/a-brief-reminder-about-edward-snowden/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">noted</a>. “There, he sought to <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/greenwald-snowdens-files-are-out-there-if-anything-happens-to-him/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ingratiate</a> himself with the Chinese Communists by revealing IP addresses for computers in China and Hong Kong that were being monitored by the NSA. Keeping Snowden was impossible; though already our fiercest global competitor in 2013, China was unwilling to declare itself so openly hostile. Snowden was thus allowed by the Chinese to depart for Moscow, where he remains to this day.”
Gabbard apparently allayed Young’s concerns with a letter in which she stated:
<blockquote>
I commit to holding accountable and seeking justice against any Intelligence Community employee, contractor or subcontractor from making an unauthorized disclosure of any intelligence program. I will not advocate for any protections which should only be extended to lawful and legitimate whistleblowers to any Intelligence Community employee, contractor or subcontractor who makes or facilitates an unauthorized disclosure of any intelligence program. &#8230; I commit to not making any recommendation in a personal or professional capacity regarding the legal standing of Edward Snowden to the President of the United States or the Attorney General of the United States.
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
New: Sen. Todd Young spoke a lot to VP Vance about Gabbard and wanted assurances from her in writing on Snowden, whistleblowers and 702 before supporting her as DNI. 
Here’s the letter she wrote him ahead of her committee vote today <a href="https://t.co/kvAhgi9Hhj">pic.twitter.com/kvAhgi9Hhj</a>
&mdash; Burgess Everett (@burgessev) <a href="https://twitter.com/burgessev/status/1886799328242442581?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas is the only Republican senator on the Intelligence Committee who has not yet stated that he will vote for Gabbard.

Gabbard Wins Over Key Votes, Within One Vote Of Advancing Toward Senate Confirmation

Edward Snowden

General

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) said during an interview over the weekend that former Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tulsi-gabbard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tulsi Gabbard&#8217;s</a> refusal to call Edward Snowden a traitor during her confirmation hearing last week could end up costing her.
Warner made the remarks during a Sunday interview with CBS News&#8217; &#8220;Face The Nation&#8221; when asked by leftist host Margaret Brenna what Republicans senators are saying privately about her nomination.
&#8220;Edward Snowden released more information — probably did as much damage to our intelligence community as anyone in history,&#8221; Warner said. &#8220;And the fact that Ms. Gabbard — who actually had legislation to pardon Edward Snowden, she called him a brave whistleblower — couldn&#8217;t bring herself to call him a traitor, I think is disqualifying just on plain judgment.&#8221;
&#8220;What would that signal if she got in, would that send to the IC workers or contractors? Is she going to suddenly enforce the law if she called Snowden a brave whistleblower?&#8221; he asked. &#8220;And what I&#8217;m particularly concerned about is our sharing of information with our allies, that&#8217;s not written into law, that&#8217;s based on trust.&#8221;
&#8220;Will they really trust to share their intelligence with us if she can&#8217;t call out one of the worst traitors in recent American history as such, as a traitor?&#8221; he added.
He said that the Senate Intelligence Committee has historically been the most bipartisan committee in the U.S. Senate and that those who serve on the committee often will resist pressure from their own parties.
&#8220;But it&#8217;s not just Snowden, America&#8217;s most powerful intelligence tool is something we call Section 702, she left us totally confused on her views on that,&#8221; he continued. &#8220;And as well, her lack of judgment, whether it&#8217;s going to visit Assad when he was head of Syria, whether it was taking trips paid for by sketchy groups or echoing Putin&#8217;s comments somehow NATO started the war in Ukraine, that is not the judgment of somebody that would run 18 intelligence communities &#8212; agencies.&#8221;
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
Tulsi Gabbard&#8217;s refusal to call Edward Snowden a &#8220;traitor&#8221; in her director of national intelligence confirmation hearings is &#8220;disqualifying just on plain judgment,&#8221; says Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA).
He wonders if U.S. allies will &#8220;trust to share their intelligence with us if she… <a href="https://t.co/oiT7ALWvlE">pic.twitter.com/oiT7ALWvlE</a>
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/FaceTheNation/status/1886093780501344591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2025</a></blockquote>

Capitol Hill

Senator Warns Tulsi Gabbard’s Answer On Edward Snowden May Cost Her Being Confirmed

Executive

Mark Warner

Director of National Intelligence designate Tulsi Gabbard torched her detractors during her opening statement to the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, addressing their likely attacks before they even had a chance to deliver them.
Gabbard wrapped up her statement by predicting that Democrats on the committee — with whom she had previously shared party affiliation — would challenge her loyalty to the United States and question whether she was a &#8220;puppet&#8221; beholden to President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, or a host of others.
WATCH:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
DNI Director-designate <a href="https://twitter.com/TulsiGabbard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TulsiGabbard</a>: Democrats have accused me of being Trump’s puppet, Putin’s puppet, Assad’s puppet, a guru’s puppet, Modi’s puppet — but what truly unsettles them is I refuse to be THEIR puppet. 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/nphSJ26r1M">pic.twitter.com/nphSJ26r1M</a>
&mdash; Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1884994931166495172?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2025</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Before I close, I want to warn the American people who are watching at home: you may hear lies and smears in this hearing that will challenge my loyalty to and my love for our country,&#8221; she said.
&#8220;Those who oppose my nomination imply that I am loyal to something or someone other than God, my own conscience, and the Constitution of the United States, accusing me of being Trump&#8217;s puppet, Putin&#8217;s puppet, Assad&#8217;s puppet, a guru&#8217;s puppet, Modi&#8217;s puppet — not recognizing the absurdity of simultaneously being the puppet of five different puppet-masters,&#8221; Gabbard continued.
&#8220;The same tactic was used against President Trump and failed,&#8221; Gabbard said, referencing the efforts made by the Left and legacy media to falsely tie Trump to Russia.
&#8220;The American people elected Trump with a decisive victory and mandate for change,&#8221; she added. &#8220;The fact is, what truly unsettles my political opponents is that I refuse to be THEIR puppet.&#8221;
Senator <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tom-cotton-defends-tulsi-gabbard-no-one-should-question-her-patriotism-or-integrity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tom Cotton</a> (R-AR) also predicted that opponents would question Gabbard&#8217;s loyalty and dedication to the United States, saying that such criticisms were ridiculous and unfounded.
&#8220;Hillary Clinton has basically called her a traitor in the past. This is a woman who served more than 20 years in our nation’s army. She’s passed five different background checks. I reviewed the latest one. It’s clean as a whistle. It’s fine for people to have policy differences and ask questions about those differences. I hope no one would impugn Mrs. Gabbard’s patriotism or her integrity,&#8221; Cotton said.

Senate Intelligence Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing For Tulsi Gabbard

Tulsi Gabbard Spits Fire In Opening Statement: ‘I Refuse To Be Their Puppet!’

Tulsi Gabbard Spits Fire In Opening Statement: 'I Refuse To Be Their Puppet!'

President Donald Trump&#8217;s nominee for Director of National Intelligence will vow to intensely focus on ensuring the &#8220;safety, security, and freedom&#8221; of all Americans during her confirmation hearings on Thursday, according to excerpts of her opening speech obtained by The Daily Wire.
Tulsi Gabbard will be in Washington, D.C. on Thursday as she sits before the Senate Intelligence Committee and answers questions from senators, many of whom are hostile towards her nomination. In her opening remarks, she will say there is a &#8220;clear mandate&#8221; for Trump to revamp the intelligence community, and that she&#8217;s the person to carry that mission out.
&#8220;President Trump’s reelection is a clear mandate from the American people to break this cycle of failure, end the weaponization and politicization of the IC, and begin to restore trust in those who have been charged with the critical task of securing our nation,&#8221; Gabbard will say, according to embargoed remarks obtained by The Daily Wire. &#8220;If confirmed as DNI, I will fulfill this mandate and bring leadership to the intelligence community with a laser like focus on our essential mission: ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people.&#8221;
The Senate Intelligence Committee&#8217;s panel has nine Republican members and eight Democrats, and Gabbard likely cannot afford to lose a single Republican vote.
Republican senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine have indicated they have concerns about Gabbard, and Collins sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Gabbard also plans to draw on her experiences as a veteran, saying: &#8220;My experiences on the battlefield and in the halls of Congress have given me a deep understanding of the complex challenges our nation faces. I’ve been a consumer of intelligence as a member of congress and a member of our armed forces for over two decades. I know first-hand how essential accurate, unbiased and timely intelligence is – to the President, to Congress, and to our warfighters – and the heavy cost of intelligence failures and abuses.&#8221;
<div id="attachment_868359" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/tulsi-gabbard-to-vow-laser-like-focus-on-safety-security-and-freedom-at-hearing/trump-cabinet-nominees-meet-with-lawmakers-on-capitol-hill-2" rel="attachment wp-att-868359"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-868359" class="wp-image-868359 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/GettyImages-2188519364-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/GettyImages-2188519364-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/GettyImages-2188519364-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/GettyImages-2188519364-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/GettyImages-2188519364-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/GettyImages-2188519364-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/GettyImages-2188519364-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/01/GettyImages-2188519364-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /></a>Nathan Howard/Bloomberg via Getty Images</div>
She will also reportedly highlight the controversy that her nomination has received and mention criticism from her opponents.
&#8220;The truth is: what really upsets my political opponents is my consistent record of independence, regardless of political affiliation, and my refusal to be anyone&#8217;s puppet,&#8221; Gabbard will argue. &#8220;You know who else is committed to defending our country and reforming Washington with a fierce and unparalleled independence, President Donald J. Trump who ran and won with a mandate for change this November.&#8221;
Gabbard will also swear her loyalty to the United States Constitution on Thursday: &#8220;My life is a testament of the truth of my loyalty to God, country and the Constitution. If confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, I will continue to live by the oath I have sworn at least eight times in my life both in uniform and as a civilian: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same.&#8221;
The hearing is set to begin at 10:00 ET and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/show/live-news-coverage">can be viewed on Daily Wire</a>.

US-VOTE-POLITICS-TRUMP

Tulsi Gabbard To Vow ‘Laser-Like Focus’ On ‘Safety, Security, And Freedom’ At Hearing

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