The primary focus also highlights the necessity of eradicating the division within the intelligence community, articulating her objective as ensuring a “clear mission focus for the IC on its fundamental mission of impartial, nonpartisan collection and analysis of intelligence to safeguard our nation.” The DNI further underscores the importance of rebuilding “trust through openness and answerability,” as a critical national security prerequisite, as per the document.
Similar to numerous governmental entities during the latter Trump administration, Gabbard’s principal emphasis lies in the overhaul of ODNI, established in the aftermath of intelligence breakdowns preceding 9/11. Her aim is to “scrutinize and rectify efficiency, redundancy, and effectiveness within ODNI to guarantee that the concentration of personnel and resources remains on our primary mission of national security,” as outlined in the document.
Throughout the confirmation process, the former congresswoman from Hawaii engaged with over half of the Senate within a span of two months. Sources familiar with the proceedings indicated that lawmakers from both sides of the political spectrum voiced frustration over recent intelligence mishaps. Gabbard continued her meetings with senators on Capitol Hill right up to the eve of her nomination.
Lawmakers from both sides interrogated Gabbard about her stance reversal on a crucial surveillance instrument, Section 702 of the FISA, and her refusal to brand former National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden as a traitor during intense confirmation hearings on Capitol Hill the previous month.
Her nomination was confirmed by the Senate with a vote of 52-48 on Wednesday. Gabbard, a former Democrat who switched to the Republican Party, garnered no Democratic votes. The lone Republican opposing her nomination was former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who expressed, “The nation should not have to fret over the intelligence assessments received by the President being influenced by a Director of National Intelligence with a record of concerning lapses in judgment.”
Another notable dissenting vote came from independent Senator Bernie Sanders, whom Gabbard endorsed during his 2016 presidential campaign after resigning as a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.
As per the document acquired by ABC News, Gabbard intends to collaborate with legislators to ensure prompt responses to their intelligence requests. Issues of concern encompass the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack in Israel; the 2024 Syrian rebel seizure; failures in pinpointing the source of the COVID-19 outbreak, Anomalous Health Incidents (AHIs), commonly referred to as “Havana Syndrome,” Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) — entities in the air, sea, or space defying scientific explanation — drones, and more.
Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, has completed 22 years of service in the Army National Guard and Reserve, including deployments to Iraq, Kuwait, and Djibouti. She is the first female DNI with a military background
