Former National Security Officials Express Alarm Over Tulsi Gabbard’s DNI Nomination
Nearly 100 former national security officials have signed a letter expressing strong opposition to the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (DNI), raising concerns about her qualifications and her past actions. The signatories, including former senior officials from across the U.S. intelligence community, argue that Gabbard’s lack of experience and controversial past, including her meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017, make her unfit for the role of overseeing the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies.
The officials warn that her “sympathy for dictators” like Assad and Vladimir Putin could undermine her ability to provide impartial intelligence assessments and jeopardize trust with America’s intelligence allies. They urge the Senate to hold closed-door hearings during her confirmation process to consider all available information on her record and capabilities.
“Ms. Gabbard’s nomination must be thoroughly vetted,” the letter reads, highlighting concerns about her ability to manage the intelligence community and protect sensitive sources and methods. The experts emphasize the unprecedented nature of her nomination, noting that previous DNI appointees had significant experience in intelligence or national security roles.
The letter also calls into question whether Gabbard’s confirmation could impact the willingness of U.S. intelligence partners to share critical information, given her controversial views and past actions.