Gabbard sworn in as top intelligence official

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Tulsi Gabbard to be the next director of national intelligence in a 52-48 vote that demonstrated President Donald Trump’s political control over Republican lawmakers, and she was sworn in hours later in the Oval Office.

Gabbard had one of the most contentious confirmation hearings of all of the president’s nominees. Several Republican senators joined Democrats in asking tough questions about her previous support of Edward Snowden, a former government contractor who released reams of classified data, and her skepticism about warrantless wiretaps of overseas communications.

Her defense of Bashar Assad, the former Syrian dictator, and her sympathy toward President Vladimir Putin of Russia also gave some Republican lawmakers pause.

But in the end only one Republican was willing to oppose her. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the former majority leader, voted against her.

McConnell said he voted against her because the director of national intelligence should not be someone “with a history of alarming lapses in judgment.”

“Entrusting the coordination of the intelligence community to someone who struggles to acknowledge these facts is an unnecessary risk,” he said in a statement.

Before the floor vote, the Republican members of the Senate Intelligence Committee fell in line and backed Gabbard’s confirmation. Some, like Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, highlighted Gabbard’s pledges to streamline the office. Others, like Sen. Todd Young of Indiana, emphasized her vows to hold accountable people who leaked classified information and to help reauthorize overseas surveillance programs.

That support from skeptics paved the way for Gabbard’s confirmation by the full Senate. Republicans cited her military experience — Gabbard is a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve — and her support of Trump’s agenda.

“She has been a consumer of intelligence for many years, giving her valuable insight into the intelligence needs of our government and military,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va.

© 2025 The New York Times Company