The U.S. Senate has confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (DNI), making her the newest leader of America’s intelligence community under President Donald Trump’s second-term administration. The 52-48 vote fell mostly along party lines, with Republicans securing her confirmation despite unified Democratic opposition. Only one Republican senator, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, voted against her appointment.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and a combat veteran, left the Democratic Party in 2022 after frequently breaking with its leadership on foreign policy and national security. She endorsed Trump’s 2024 campaign and played a role in his transition team before being tapped for the top intelligence position. Trump praised her selection, calling her a “fearless” leader who would prioritize constitutional rights and restore trust in intelligence operations.
During her confirmation hearing, Gabbard pledged to remove political bias from intelligence gathering and ensure that agencies remain focused on national security rather than ideological battles. She also responded to criticism from opponents who labeled her a foreign sympathizer, arguing that the real issue was that she refused to be controlled by Washington insiders.
One of the primary concerns among Republican skeptics was her past positions on foreign leaders such as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, as well as her stance on Edward Snowden, the former intelligence contractor who exposed classified U.S. surveillance programs. However, Gabbard was able to win over key Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, by reassuring them of her commitment to strengthening U.S. intelligence efforts while protecting civil liberties.
Murkowski, in a statement on social media, acknowledged concerns about some of Gabbard’s past positions but emphasized that she trusted her to bring “independent thinking and necessary oversight” to the role. Her confirmation underscores Trump’s continued influence in reshaping key national security positions with figures outside of Washington’s establishment circles.
Democrats remained firmly opposed, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer branding Gabbard as a spreader of “falsehoods and conspiracy theories.” He accused her of sympathizing with hostile foreign leaders and argued that she lacked the qualifications to oversee America’s intelligence operations. Senator John Fetterman, who has previously shown a willingness to back some of Trump’s nominees, made it clear that he would not support Gabbard, reinforcing the partisan nature of her confirmation process.
The confirmation of Gabbard is part of Trump’s broader effort to reshape the intelligence and national security leadership, which has faced Democratic resistance at every step. The confirmation of Kash Patel for FBI director and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services is expected to face similar opposition. With Democrats employing delay tactics, several of Trump’s nominees have yet to be confirmed, but Gabbard’s appointment represents a significant victory for the administration.
