WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The forthcoming nomination of Aaron Lukas, a seasoned government official, as the deputy to recently approved Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, is shrouded in uncertainty, according to a source well-versed in the proposal. Gabbard, a former U.S. representative with minimal exposure to intelligence matters, secured her position as the head of U.S. intelligence in a 52 to 48 vote that predominantly followed party lines last week. Lukas, who previously served as an intelligence aide to the then-acting Director of National Intelligence, Ric Grenell, in 2020 during Trump’s initial term, is anticipated to bring a wealth of national security expertise to the role of principal deputy director of national intelligence, a position necessitating Senate confirmation. The White House refrained from offering an immediate comment. Having accumulated over 21 years of experience as a foreign service officer, Lukas served as the senior director for Europe and Russia at the White House National Security Council during the closing year of Trump’s inaugural term. Prior to venturing into the foreign service, he contributed to the Cato Institute, a Libertarian think tank. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
