President Donald Trump has expressed his firm intention to retain Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in her position, according to sources speaking to the Daily Mail. This development unfolds amidst escalating tensions following the onset of the Iran war last month, during which Gabbard's adversaries have openly challenged her commitment to the mission, urging the president to dismiss her and appoint a successor.
Internal Proposals and Presidential Pushback
One potential resolution, reportedly suggested by an ally of former Attorney General Pam Bondi—who was terminated by Trump on Thursday—involved reassigning Bondi to assume Gabbard's role, as noted by CBS. However, the president has clearly indicated his preference for Gabbard to remain in office, directly countering these suggestions.
The White House has vigorously refuted a Guardian report alleging that Trump's confidence in Gabbard waned after her former deputy, Joe Kent, resigned in protest over the decision to engage in war with Iran. This rebuttal coincides with Trump's recent dismissal of Pam Bondi from her attorney general post and the removal of Kristi Noem from the Department of Homeland Security less than a month prior.
White House Statements and Administration Support
Strongly denying any notion of a third female cabinet member facing ousting, White House spokesman Steven Cheung asserted in a statement to the Daily Mail, 'President Trump has total confidence in Director Gabbard, and any insinuation otherwise is totally fake news.'
Despite Guardian sources claiming Trump has consulted cabinet members about replacing Gabbard, administration insiders attribute such reports to infighting within Washington's intelligence community. One official told the Daily Mail, 'The DC establishment, including the CIA, is always after her because of her efforts to reveal their lies to the American people. She’s doing exactly what POTUS tasked her to do. You’ll notice there are never hit pieces on the CIA.'
Gabbard's Presence and Ideological Dynamics
Gabbard was observed at the White House as recently as Wednesday evening, attending the president's late-night national address concerning Iran. When questioned about his trust in the DNI earlier this week, Trump responded, 'Yeah, sure,' adding, 'She's a little different in her thought process than me, but that doesn't make somebody not available to serve.'
Gabbard, a former Democratic Congresswoman known for her opposition to U.S. foreign intervention, reportedly irritated Trump last year by releasing a stark video highlighting the perils of nuclear war. Nevertheless, administration officials have dismissed these claims, emphasizing that Gabbard has recently garnered significant praise from the president and maintained a nearly constant presence at the White House throughout the Iran conflict.
Endorsements from Key Figures
White House officials have commended Gabbard's performance during the Iran war, noting her 'consistent and overwhelming support' from Trump, despite their ideological differences. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also defended Gabbard, describing her as a 'respected member of the President's national security team' excelling in her duties.
Vice President JD Vance has likewise endorsed Gabbard's efforts on behalf of the president. Sources familiar with her standing in the administration clarify that attempts to link her to Joe Kent's defection are misguided, as she explicitly distanced herself from his protest resignation.
Even when pressured to join broader protests against the Iran war, Gabbard aligned with Trump, testifying that the determination of an imminent threat rests solely with the president. The White House continues to uphold that Trump has assembled an exceptionally talented cabinet, achieving historic victories for the American people.
