• Tulsi Gabbard Takes Helm as First Female Combat Veteran to Lead U.S. Intelligence Community

  • Feb 16 2025
  • Length: 3 mins
  • Podcast

Tulsi Gabbard Takes Helm as First Female Combat Veteran to Lead U.S. Intelligence Community

Listen for free

View show details

  • Summary

  • Tulsi Gabbard has recently been confirmed and sworn in as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), marking a significant shift in the leadership of the U.S. intelligence community. On February 12, 2025, the Senate voted 52 to 48 to confirm her nomination, despite some reservations from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle[4].

    Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and current Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, is the first female combat veteran to hold the position of DNI. Her nomination by President Donald Trump was met with mixed reactions, particularly due to her lack of direct experience in the intelligence field and her past controversial statements and actions. For instance, she has been criticized for her past comments aligning with Kremlin narratives and her meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017[3][4].

    During her confirmation hearings, Gabbard faced scrutiny over her understanding of the DNI's responsibilities and her stance on key surveillance powers. Despite these concerns, she assured senators that she would ensure the President has access to all necessary intelligence to make informed decisions and committed to maintaining a "brick wall" between her official duties and her personal politics[2][3].

    Gabbard's strategy as DNI includes refocusing the intelligence community on terrorist threats and identifying gaps in intelligence to stay ahead of potential dangers. She has also expressed a commitment to assessing the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to eliminate redundancies and streamline its operations. This includes capping the size of the ODNI, eliminating unnecessary bureaucratic layers, and ensuring that only those who need access to sensitive intelligence have it[2].

    One of the contentious issues during her confirmation was her view on Edward Snowden, the whistleblower who leaked classified information in 2013. Gabbard acknowledged that Snowden broke the law but declined to label him a traitor, instead emphasizing the importance of using established whistleblower channels to report concerns within the government[4].

    Gabbard's confirmation has been welcomed by some Republicans who appreciate her commitment to reforming the intelligence community. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed support for her plans to streamline the ODNI and eliminate inefficiencies[4].

    However, Democrats have been more critical, with Senator Dick Durbin warning that Gabbard could be a liability in her new role due to her past defenses of figures like Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad[4].

    As the new DNI, Gabbard will oversee the work of 18 intelligence agencies and serve as President Trump's primary intelligence adviser. Her tenure is expected to be closely watched, given her unique background and the significant challenges facing the U.S. intelligence community.
    Show more Show less
Show more Show less

What listeners say about Tulsi Gabbard Takes Helm as First Female Combat Veteran to Lead U.S. Intelligence Community

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.ca reviews

Amazon Reviews
No reviews are available