Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed to be the Director of National Intelligence. Mitch McConnell, R-KY, crossed the aisle and voted with the Democrats in a 52-48 party-line vote. One of President Trump’s most problematic nominees achieved what seemed impossible just three weeks ago. Gabbard was, like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. one of those outside the GOP and outside-the-box figures that made Trump a candidate acceptable to voters who he would not have been able to reach otherwise. Gabbard’s nomination as DNI surprised many.
The main argument against her was the fact that she had no background in intelligence, either in the military or when she served as a member of Congress. She’s a Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, but she served in the military police and civil affairs. She was accused by some of being a softie on Russia and Syria. She was also criticized for her visit to Bashar al Assad in 2017. Her skepticism about the evidence that he had used chemical weapons and her view of NATO, which is outside of policy circles, complicated her Senate confirmation. Her advocacy for Julian Assange and Edward Snowden as whistleblowers, rather than criminals, also irked the intelligence establishment.
It’s probably more due to the senators who weren’t sure how they were going to vote. They put aside any doubts about Gabbard and her experience and gave President Trump the choice he wanted.
The hard work begins now. She has to lead a team that is hostile towards Donald Trump and likely dismissive of her. Her first task is to make this a difficult place to work. She must clean up a politicalized intelligence community, which has stopped seeing itself as an institution that supports the administration.
She will face relentless personal attacks if she is not marginalized. Schumer, when Donald Trump fought the intelligence community said, “Let’s tell you, if you fight the intelligence, they will have six ways to get back at you starting Sunday.” Even for a hard-nosed, practical businessman like Trump, this is a dumb move.
The President was given a choice. We hope she delivers on her promise and transforms a floundering intelligence organization focused on their prerogatives, into the amazing intelligence and covert actions organization it should have been.
