Washington, D.C. – Foreign Policy for America (FP4A) today published a letter signed by nearly 100 former national security and intelligence leaders urging the Senate to conduct a rigorous review of President-elect Trump’s nomination of Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Addressed to Senate Majority Leader-elect Thune and Senate Majority Leader Schumer, the letter’s signatories include former ambassadors, Deputy Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, as well as numerous retired high-ranking State Department, intelligence, and military officials.
The letter raises critical concerns about Ms. Gabbard’s qualifications and past statements that conflict with U.S. intelligence assessments, questioning her ability to lead the 18 agencies charged with protecting the United States against evolving threats. The letter urges the Senate to fully exercise its constitutional advice and consent role through detailed vetting, hearings, and consideration of all information available to the U.S. government in closed sessions.
“The Director of National Intelligence holds one of the most consequential positions in our government, tasked with safeguarding the integrity of our intelligence agencies and protecting our sources worldwide,” said Kristina Biyad, acting Executive Director of Foreign Policy for America. “Given the serious concerns outlined in this letter, it is crucial that the Senate rigorously vet Ms. Gabbard’s qualifications and record. Our national security demands nothing less.”
“America’s intelligence community plays a critical role in countering Russian aggression and holding regimes like Assad’s accountable for atrocities,” said Wendy Sherman, former Deputy Secretary of State and member of FP4A’s Advisory Board. “Beyond her lack of intelligence experience, Ms. Gabbard’s past statements on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and interactions with Assad raise serious concerns about her judgment and alignment with U.S. intelligence priorities. The Senate must carefully scrutinize whether she can lead with the clear-eyed analysis and integrity this role demands.”
“In an era of increasingly sophisticated cyber and hybrid threats, the DNI must have a comprehensive understanding of the challenges we face,” said Rose Gottemoeller, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO and member of FP4A’s Advisory Board. “Ms. Gabbard’s past statements and actions raise serious red flags and indicate significant gaps in knowledge and experience on these issues. I encourage the Senate to carefully weigh her suitability for this critical role.”
“Incompetent, unqualified, erratic – these adjectives hardly begin to describe this lickspittle to our enemies, danger to our secrets, and wrecking ball to our capabilities,” said Joel Brenner, former head of U.S. counterintelligence policies under the first three DNIs. “Ms. Gabbard’s nomination is an insult to our intelligence agencies and the thousands of people who labor in them night and day to keep our nation safe.”
“The DNI is charged with overseeing 18 intelligence agencies, managing a $70 billion budget, and serving as a trusted source of information to the president on the vast national security threats our country faces,” said Melvin Gamble, retired Senior CIA officer. “Ms. Gabbard has defended the actions of dictators like Bashar al-Assad, blamed NATO for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and brings virtually no intelligence experience. Her nomination should worry any American who cares about keeping our country safe.”
“In my nearly 40-year career, serving every President from Nixon to Obama, I have never seen such a dangerous nomination,” said Robert Bradtke, former Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. “Ex-KGB hand Putin must be smiling in amazement that someone with no experience in intelligence matters and demonstrated poor judgment could be put in charge of our most precious secrets. Collecting, analyzing, and managing intelligence is a far too serious business and the world today a much too dangerous place for Tulsi Gabbard to be DNI.”
“The Director of National Intelligence oversees a complex enterprise of 18 agencies critical to safeguarding our nation’s security,” said Brian P. McKeon, former Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources. “This position requires not only deep expertise in intelligence but also proven management capabilities to lead a vast, interagency apparatus. Ms. Gabbard’s limited experience in intelligence and her lack of a demonstrated track record in managing large organizations raise serious questions about her preparedness for this role.”
FP4A remains committed to advancing principled American foreign policy by advocating for qualified leadership in national security positions across the U.S. government.
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