Staff Reports
Tulsi Gabbard is one step closer to becoming the next Director of National Intelligence, and it’s about time the Senate puts someone in charge who actually understands the intelligence community rather than turning it into a squirrel circus. The former Democratic star turned independent and finally a Republican has cleared a critical procedural hurdle with a vote tally of 52-46. Naturally, this democratic process is swimming in partisan waters, with all Republicans supporting her and all Democrats armed with their most negative talking points.
A final vote on Gabbard’s nomination is set for early Wednesday. The anticipation is rife, with some Republicans yet to take a dive, such as Mitch McConnell, who, while quiet on publicly supporting Gabbard, doesn’t seem poised to derail her confirmation. If anything, it seems like he’s playing a strategic game of chess. Who needs more drama in Washington when the confirmation of Gabbard promises to disrupt the status quo in the DNI office, a bureaucracy that has been more bloated than a Thanksgiving turkey?
The Senate voted 52-46 to end debate on Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for DNI, with strong Republican support for her plan to shrink the office.
Who’s ready to see the DNI downsized, just like other bloated agencies, to reduce government & bring power back to the people? 🙋🏼♀️ pic.twitter.com/RDlf9pfCAx
— Desiree (@DesireeAmerica4) February 11, 2025
Senate Majority Leader John Thune gave Gabbard some praise, touting her experience and her vision to trim the intelligence community down to a version that actually works. The original idea behind the DNI was to make intelligence coordination as efficient as a Swiss watch; however, it seems to have become a confusing heap of red tape instead. Thune’s words highlight the need for a return to the transparency and efficiency the office was originally mandated to uphold, instead of letting it grow into a lumbering bureaucracy reminiscent of a DMV line.
Senator Susan Collins joined the chorus in favor of Gabbard, highlighting her intent to tackle the agency’s size and inefficiencies. Still, despite a growing list of endorsements, Gabbard did face questions about her prior stance on pardoning whistleblower Edward Snowden. While she assured senators that she wouldn’t back any pardons, the ghosts of Gabbard’s past lingered in the chambers, provoking some skepticism, especially from Democrats who seem unable to shake their narrative that she’s perpetually cozying up to adversaries.
While the Democratic side of the aisle remains skeptical of Gabbard, Republican senators seem relieved at the prospect of someone willing to wrestle with the knots of intelligence collection. Sen. Todd Young’s support hinged on Gabbard’s pledge to collaborate on reauthorizing critical surveillance provisions, even if her past opposition to some laws raised eyebrows. What’s certain is that Gabbard’s fresh approach to the intelligence office, which many feel has strayed too far from its purpose, may prove to be just the antidote Washington needs. The Democrats might keep throwing shade, but it seems the momentum is firmly in Gabbard’s favor, as they prepare for her ultimate confirmation to the DNI office.
