Action 20 - Oppose Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for Director of National Intelligence
Background: Along with Kash Patel, this appointment is both ridiculous and dangerous. Gabbard is an unprincipled flip-flopper who will do whatever it takes to advance her career, even if it means recently changing parties and cozying up to Putin and Bashar al-Assad. Consider that in 2020 she ran in the DEMOCRATIC presidential primary, and only got around to endorsing Trump in August of 2024. That, plus the fact that she is a woman, (and of color, no less!) would predictably nix her chances with the MAGA base. Except that Trump has nominated her, and the cult will obey, including Republican senators.
The Russians seem to love Gabbard. Russian state media (i.e. Putin’s propaganda machine) has openly referred to her as “our girlfriend”. Why do you suppose they use an endearing term for the individual Trump has chosen to lead U.S. Intelligence? Former staffers say she regularly consumes Russian disinformation, and amplifies it publicly. Trump already claims he trusts Putin more than U.S. intelligence.
The role of DNI is pivotal. This person advises the President, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council, overseeing the CIA, NSA, Defense Intelligence Agency, and 15 other intelligence agencies with a combined budget of $100 billion. It’s one of the most sensitive positions in the entire government, shaping national security strategy and safeguarding classified information. Nearly 100 former senior diplomats and national security officials from both parties are deeply alarmed by Gabbard’s nomination, saying her actions “call into question her ability to deliver unbiased intelligence briefings to the President, Congress, and to the entire national security apparatus.” The Director of National Intelligence doesn’t just oversee intelligence gathering -- this person directly shapes the President’s understanding of global threats and alliances, influencing how the U.S. engages with the world. Trump is already not particularly well-informed. “She would make him less so.”
Gabbard’s appointment would pose a serious risk to national security and undermine the credibility of the intelligence community. The possibility is all too real that she will regularly distort sensitive intelligence to advance her views, or withhold information that undermines her opinions. Intelligence services from democratic nations will stop sharing important information. American intelligence is not safe in her hands. Appointing Gabbard invites Russian influence into the heart of the U.S. intelligence apparatus.
Action: Call and/or write to our Senators. They MUST reject Gabbard’s nomination.
(This should be a no-brainer, but don’t count on it. The next question is, who will be the substitute? And who’s running the show in the interim? Ask Senator King’s STAFF to find out and let you know.)
Contact: Senator King’s DC office (202) 224-5344
Email: https://www.king.senate.gov/contact
Senator Collins’ DC office (202) 224-2523
Email: https://www.collins.senate.gov/contact/email-senator-collins
Urgency: Gabbard’s hearing has been scheduled for January 30, with the Senate Intelligence Committee.
This is the same date as Kash Patel’s hearing. BOTH SENATORS SERVE ON THIS COMMITTEE
CALL Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, January 27, 28, 29
Extra Credit:
https://apnews.com/article/trump-gabbard-director-national-intelligence-466dfdfe2f949ea20bc2f4ef13e21438
https://click.e.economist.com/?qs=056a152e0efb26c27047df934d57560cd8dec6fece465bf6d7e8071ecad697fd11
a8d4a93e1c73ae24a2efc83aad2edc9a346f44f23154e201c776892b0dac66
Also email from the following organizations: Democracy for America, The People United, Civic Shout, Talking Points Memo and others.