Former Democrat Tarsi Gabbard has been identified as the US National Intelligence Director, a cabinet-level role in managing President Donald Trump.
Wednesday’s confirmation in the Senate was considered one of the most controversial Trump’s second term.
Nevertheless, the Republican-controlled Senate voted 52-48 mainly along the party line and approved post Gabbard, which oversees 18 agencies in the US intelligence reporting community.
The only Republican to vote against her was Sen. Mitch McConnell, who had been the chamber of commerce leader for 18 years until the end of last year.
Gabbard was an unconventional choice, giving her past comments expressing sympathy for Russian President Vladimir Putin and her support for government leaker Edward Snowden.
Gabbard also traveled to Syria in 2017 to meet his now-cooperative leader, Bashar al-Assad.
In a statement, McConnell expressed continued concern about Gabbard’s appointment.
“The nation should not need to worry that the intelligence report assessments received by the president are contaminated by the National Intelligence Director, who has a history of surprising lapses in judgment,” he wrote, adding that Gabbard “nothing.” “The risks needed.”
The Office of the Director of the National Intelligence Bureau was created to address the information obstacles exposed by the attack on September 11, 2001.
But Republicans have increasingly criticised the office, saying it has grown too big and politicized. Trump himself has long looked at the intelligence reporting agencies of the country in question.
“The intelligence news community needs to focus on core missions, gather intelligence and provide an unbiased analysis of that information,” Republican Sen. John Tune said in support of Gabbard.
As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard has extensive access to classified materials and serves as the president’s leading intelligence advisor.
Gabbard, a military veteran with an isolationist view, will take over his role as Trump works to restructure a huge portion of the federal government through spending and staffing.
For example, the CIA, one of the intelligence reporting agencies currently under Gabbard’s command, confirmed last week that it was offering shopping to encourage voluntary staff resignation.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity experts have raised concerns about Trump advisor Elon Musk and his government’s efficiency, gaining access to sensitive government information about the intelligence reporting business.
Snowden, Syria, Russia
At a confirmation hearing last month, Gabbard asked about the past defenses of Snowden, a former security contractor who leaked a classification document revealing the scope of the US surveillance program.
Snowden faced criminal charges for violating spying, and fled the United States in 2013 and was granted asylum in Russia.
Some senators were significantly annoyed by Gabbard’s refusal to call Snowden a traitor.
“Edward Snowden broke the law,” she said. “The fact is that even if he breaks the law, he has released information that exposes a terrible, illegal and unconstitutional program.”
Gabbard’s 2017 visit with Al-Assad was another flash point. Critics have condemned her support for Al Assad, who was accused of war crimes, as she lends her legitimacy and the emergence of US support.
Her comments questioning whether Al Assad used chemical weapons against Syrians prompted further controversy.
However, during her confirmation hearing, Gabbard defended the meeting and said she used the opportunity to push Syrian leaders in his human rights record.
“I asked him harsh questions about his own regime’s actions, the use of chemical weapons, and the brutal tactics that were being used against his own people,” Gabbard said.
She also dodged criticism of past statements that Russia, which sparked a full-scale Ukraine aggression in 2022, said it had “legal security concerns.”
Another Trump victory
It was unclear whether Gabbard’s nomination would be successful until Wednesday’s vote.
Several Republicans, including Todd Young of Indiana, had raised concerns. Young was ultimately under pressure from Trump’s allies like Musk.
Musk later deleted the post and spoke to Young. Young then announced his decision to vote for Gabbard’s confirmation, and Musk posted a revised message. Senator Young will be a great ally in restoring people’s strength from vast, unelected bureaucracy. ”
In the end, all but one Senate Republican voted in court by Gabbard.
Party skeptics said they were won by her promise to refocus on the office’s core mission: coordinating the federal intelligence news work and role as the president’s chief intelligence advisor.
“I continue to be concerned about the specific position she has taken before, but I am grateful for her commitment to keeping the agency’s oversized range,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, from Alaska. Ta.
She added that Gabbard brings “independent thinking” to her work.
Gabbard’s confirmation was another victory for Trump as Trump pushed to ensure prompt approval of all Senate candidates.
Democrats who opposed her appointment said Gabbard had no experience working for the Intelligence Reporting Agency and questioned whether he would stand up to Trump if necessary.
“We’ve seen a lot of people in the world,” said Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democratic Sen. and former CIA analyst.
Gabbard, the 2020 presidential candidate, left the Democrat two years later, branding it as the “Elitist Cabal.”
She supported Trump last year and remained independent until she joined the Republican Party.