Tulsi’s in! What’s next for the Intel Community? (P.S. Mitch is a swamp creature)

2 CommentsCommentary, Government

The Senate approved Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence today—despite Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., voting alongside Democrats to oppose her confirmation. The Senate confirmed Gabbard 52-48, with McConnell and all Democrats (including that ingrate, Bernie Sanders) voting against her—but key moderate Republicans like Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, voting yes. (Forbes)

Yes, we must remember that Tulsi was a Democrat who used to attack Trump. And that she ran an entire presidential campaign in 2020 advocating for federal codification of abortion rights, banning “assault weapons,” eliminating fossil fuels, condemning Israel for its “illegal occupation” of Palestine, and unraveling virtually all U.S. sanctions. Here’s praying that she is now firmly in locked step with the president.

President Donald Trump has expressed strong support for Tulsi Gabbard, describing her as someone who will bring a “fearless spirit” to the intelligence community. He praised her by saying, “For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the freedoms of all Americans,” and emphasized that “she has broad support in both parties – She is now a proud Republican!” Trump’s defense of Gabbard against past criticisms and his commitment to ensuring her confirmation as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) showcase his confidence in her abilities and loyalty.

Let’s see how Tulsi Gabbard’s journey from a Democratic Congresswoman to a key figure in the Trump administration’s intelligence apparatus, her political evolution, and the implications of her appointment on national security and policy, will affect the intelligence community’s direction and the safety of the nation.


Tulsi Gabbard, having been confirmed as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), is likely to prioritize several key areas based on her background, statements during her confirmation hearing, and the current political landscape.

Here are some potential first orders of business:

  1. Review of Intelligence Operations:
    • Conduct a comprehensive review of current intelligence operations to assess their effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with national security goals. This could include looking into how intelligence is gathered, analyzed, and disseminated and rooting out any lingering corruption within the ranks.
  2. Enhancing Integration Among Intelligence Agencies:
    • Improving coordination and integration among the 18 intelligence agencies under her purview will likely be a priority. This could involve addressing gaps in communication, reducing redundancy, and ensuring a unified approach to intelligence gathering and analysis.

      These are the 18 intelligence agencies that are part of the United States Intelligence Community (IC), as recognized and overseen by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI):
      • Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) – The coordinating body that oversees and integrates the efforts of the entire Intelligence Community.
      • Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) – Focuses on foreign human intelligence (HUMINT), covert operations, and analysis of global security issues.
      • National Security Agency (NSA) – Specializes in signals intelligence (SIGINT), cybersecurity, and cryptology.
      • Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) – Provides military intelligence to the Department of Defense and warfighters.
      • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) – Delivers geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) through satellite imagery and mapping.
      • National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) – Designs, builds, and operates reconnaissance satellites for intelligence gathering.
      • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Intelligence Branch – Handles domestic intelligence, counterterrorism, and counterintelligence within the U.S.
      • Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis – Focuses on homeland security threats, including terrorism and border security.
      • Department of State Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) – Provides intelligence analysis and diplomatic reporting for foreign policy decision-making.
      • Department of the Treasury Office of Intelligence and Analysis (OIA) – Analyzes financial intelligence to combat threats like money laundering and terrorism financing.
      • Department of Energy Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence – Focuses on nuclear security, energy-related intelligence, and counterintelligence.
      • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Office of National Security Intelligence – Gathers intelligence related to drug trafficking and organized crime.
      • Army Intelligence (G-2) – The intelligence component of the U.S. Army, focusing on military and tactical intelligence.
      • Navy Intelligence (ONI) – The Office of Naval Intelligence, providing maritime and naval-related intelligence.
      • Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) – The Air Force’s intelligence branch, focusing on aerial and space-related intelligence.
      • Marine Corps Intelligence Activity (MCIA) – Supports the Marine Corps with intelligence for expeditionary and amphibious operations.
      • Coast Guard Intelligence (CGI) – The intelligence arm of the U.S. Coast Guard, focusing on maritime security and law enforcement.
      • Space Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) – The intelligence component of the U.S. Space Force, focusing on space domain awareness and threats.
      • These agencies collectively form the U.S. Intelligence Community, each contributing specialized expertise to national security and intelligence efforts. This list is based on official sources and public information about the structure of the IC.
  3. Focus on Cybersecurity and Counterintelligence:
    • Given the increasing threats in cyberspace, Gabbard might prioritize strengthening cybersecurity measures and counterintelligence operations to protect against foreign cyber threats and espionage.
  4. Transparency and Reform:
    • There’s been mention of hopes for her to focus on transparency. This could involve revisiting policies on intelligence community oversight, declassification of certain documents for public transparency, or improving how intelligence is communicated to Congress and the public while protecting national security. Again, rooting out holdover corruption and un-American elements
  5. Political Neutrality:
    • Ensuring the intelligence community remains apolitical will be crucial. Gabbard might work to rebuild trust with both sides of the political spectrum by emphasizing the non-partisan nature of intelligence work.
  6. Addressing Specific Security Concerns:
    • She might focus on specific threats like terrorism, foreign interference in elections, or emerging threats from state actors. Her approach might be influenced by her previous statements on foreign policy, particularly concerning regions like the Middle East and relations with Russia.
  7. Briefing Key Stakeholders:
    • One of her immediate tasks would be to brief key figures including the President, congressional leaders, and relevant committees on current threats, ongoing operations, and strategic intelligence insights.
  8. UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) and Emerging Issues:
    • There have been discussions on platforms like X about Gabbard potentially addressing UAPs. If she follows through on this, it would involve coordinating how such phenomena are investigated and reported, possibly increasing transparency or forming special task forces.

These priorities reflect both her campaign promises, the expectations set during her confirmation hearings, and the broader national security needs as perceived by the administration she serves under.

However, without direct statements or a detailed plan from Gabbard herself or official sources post-confirmation, these are inferred from available public information and commentary on social platforms.