The U.S. Senate has confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as the nation’s Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in a 52-48 vote, solidifying her role as the head of the U.S. intelligence community. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and military veteran, now assumes oversight of the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA, and will manage an annual budget exceeding $70 billion.
The Senate vote saw all but one Republican supporting Gabbard’s confirmation, with former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell joining Democrats in opposition. Gabbard’s confirmation adds another key official to President Donald Trump’s Cabinet, as the Senate continues to approve his remaining nominees. She will be responsible for providing intelligence briefings to the President and overseeing national security threats, counterintelligence operations, and foreign intelligence gathering.
During her confirmation hearings before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard was questioned on her past statements regarding whistleblower Edward Snowden, her views on government surveillance authorities, and past diplomatic meetings with foreign leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syria’s former leader Bashar al-Assad. While some senators expressed concerns about her positions, her military background and commitment to national security ultimately secured her nomination.
Following the confirmation vote, Gabbard released a statement affirming her commitment to the intelligence community and national security.
“I look forward to fulfilling the mandate the American people delivered to you in this election to refocus our IC by empowering the great patriots who’ve chosen to serve our country and focus on ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people,” she stated.