AdminTulsi Gabbard is facing significant challenges in her efforts to secure confirmation as the director of national intelligence, according to sources familiar with her Senate meetings.
Nearly a half-dozen insiders, including senators and those close to the situation, indicated that Gabbard’s sit-downs with lawmakers have been unconvincing. One source described her meetings as “not going well” and characterized her performance as lacking depth.
“She’s coming across as more of a former House member delivering talking points than as someone ready to provide the president’s daily intelligence briefing,” the source said.
Concerns about Gabbard’s preparedness and suitability were echoed by two Senate Republicans. One noted that colleagues who have met with the former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii have left unimpressed, describing the meetings as “BS sessions.” Another senator mentioned that Gabbard’s interactions have elicited “a lot of eyerolls” from members.
Gabbard’s perceived weaknesses include her limited experience in intelligence matters and her controversial relationships with U.S. adversaries. She met with Syrian leader Bashar Assad in 2017, a move that raised eyebrows at the time and is drawing renewed scrutiny following Assad’s government’s recent collapse after allegations of chemical weapons use. Additionally, Gabbard has been a vocal defender of leaker Edward Snowden and has been criticized for echoing Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rhetoric on the war in Ukraine.
Her stance on Russia and Ukraine is a particular sticking point, especially with outgoing Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a staunch supporter of U.S. aid to Ukraine, likely to oppose her nomination.
“She was likely walking into these meetings with senators already predisposed to skepticism,” said one source familiar with the Hill’s dynamics.
A Senate GOP aide added that Gabbard’s struggles in her initial meetings “don’t make it easy” for her to win over lawmakers. “She’s got some work to do if she wants the job. The more she meets with serious people, the more they’re seeing a competency gap,” the aide said.
But, the aide was optimistic, calling her “a capable individual who could adapt quickly.”
“They’ve got to get her up to speed rapidly. … She’s just not fully informed on the role. But I believe she can ultimately succeed,” the source said.
Another Senate Republican who has met with Gabbard said some of her challenges stem from stances beyond Syria and Russia. Specifically, they pointed to her previous votes against reauthorizing FISA Section 702, which grants the U.S. authority to conduct warrantless surveillance of non-U.S. citizens abroad.
“The difficulty is explaining actions like voting against [FISA Section 702] four times and now having to advocate for 702,” the member said.
Others expressed less concern about Gabbard.
“They’ll find she’s forthright,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said earlier in the week. “She is someone that, when she focuses, she’s highly determined and will accomplish the task, and she’s also going to be someone who can reform how the DNI has operated under [Director Avril Haines] and the direction we’re heading.”
“People need to take the time to get to know her and feel confident in her abilities,” he added.
Haines, appointed by President Biden, was the first of his Cabinet officials confirmed by the Senate; the chamber supported her with a bipartisan 84-10 vote on Biden’s Inauguration Day.
At the time, Haines had support from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), now Trump’s nominee for Secretary of State.
Haines brought the conventional qualifications for the role, having served in various national security positions during the Obama administration, including deputy CIA director and White House deputy national security adviser.
She replaced Trump’s previous director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, a former congressman from Texas. Ratcliffe faced criticism over decisions to declassify intelligence viewed as attempts to circulate, at times, unsubstantiated information that could harm Trump’s political adversaries.
The Trump transition team dismissed reports that Gabbard is struggling in her meetings with senators.
“These cowardly anonymous sources are clinging to power, hiding behind the media to spread these falsehoods that undermine the will of the American people. President Trump was elected with a clear mandate for change, and that’s one of the reasons he selected Lt. Col. Gabbard for DNI,” transition spokesperson Alexa Henning said.
The scrutiny of Gabbard comes as most of Trump’s other nominees appear to be in stronger positions. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, faced significant challenges last week but has since improved his standing through intensive engagement with lawmakers and the media.
“She’s likely facing greater obstacles than Hegseth at the moment,” the source familiar with Gabbard’s recent meetings said, adding that those on Capitol Hill with Hegseth believe he has “turned a corner.”
Lawmakers are now optimistic about his confirmation after addressing initial concerns.
“I’d say that by the middle of last week, momentum seemed to be building against him. I think that’s changed significantly,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said. “The momentum has now shifted in Pete’s favor. I believe Pete will be confirmed.”
Mullin was more direct.
“It didn’t look promising last week,” he said. “But I thought he could make it if he survived the week, and he did. Now, you’re witnessing a shift in his favor because he’s actively presenting his case to the Senate. He’s been effective.”
