Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian ambassador in Beijing to Al Mayadeen: We hope that Europe and the US give up their illegal actions and authoritarian hegemony.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli shelling targets displaced persons' tent in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, casualties were reported
IOF storm Jalazone camp, north of Al Bireh city in the occupied West Bank
Israeli media: A severe incident reported in Gaza some time ago
Israeli media: Military evacuation helicopters are transporting injured soldiers from Khan Younis
Israeli media: A security incident has been reported in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip
The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps - Quds Force announces the martyrdom of the head of the Palestine Unit Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi.
Sayyed Khamenei: The idea of Iran's surrender is laughable to the wise, for the Iranian people are strong and will remain strong, proud, and honorable.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Sayyed Khamenei: The insult directed by the Americans at the Iranian people will not prevail... Our people are great, our state is strong, and our civilization is deeply rooted in history.
Sayyed Khamenei: Downplaying the Iranian strike on Al-Udeid base aims to conceal the truth, and the coming days will reveal the extent of the enemies' losses.

Trump selects Tulsi Gabbard for intel. chief, enrages establishment

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 Nov 2024 11:50
4 Min Read

The intelligence establishment has expressed concerns regarding Gabbard's credibility and suitability for the role of intelligence chief considering her background.

Listen
  • x
  • Tulsi Gabbard speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at PPG Paints Arena, Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP)
    Tulsi Gabbard speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally at PPG Paints Arena, Monday, November 4, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP)

President-elect Donald Trump's selection of Tulsi Gabbard as the United States' intelligence chief has raised alarms within the national security establishment, triggering fears that the intelligence community could become more politicized.

Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman with limited experience in intelligence and a reputation for being more critical toward US policy on Russia and Syria, is one of several key appointments that indicate Trump might be favoring personal loyalty over qualifications as he forms his second-term administration, Reuters reported. 

Current and former intelligence officials and independent experts are alleging that Trump might receive distorted views while his top officials seek to please him by withholding important information rather than ensuring or prioritizing "national security". 

A Western security official noted that there could be an initial slowdown in intelligence sharing when Trump assumes office in January, potentially affecting the "Five Eyes" alliance, which includes the US, Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The concern among US allies is that Trump’s appointments are generally seen as aligning with the "wrong direction," the official explained. 

Who is Tulsi Gabbard?

Gabbard served as the US Congress Democratic representative for Hawaii from 2013 to 2021, leaving the liberal party shortly after her unsuccessful presidential run in 2020. 

Since then, the politician has rebranded herself as pro-Trump, assisting the former president in preparing for his debate with his Democratic counterpart Kamala Harris on September 10.

Related News

EU ready for trade deal as Trump threatens new tariffs

Araghchi outlines post-war nuclear diplomacy, warns against sanctions

The selection of Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democrat, and a skeptic of Biden's pro-Ukraine policies, only fuels the fire within both domestic and international intelligence circles, as well as the Republican party itself. 

Gabbard was accused of parroting Russian policy ahead of and amid her departure from the Democratic Party in 2022, and also faced scrutiny for meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017 despite the US cutting all ties with Syria half a decade earlier. This followed several statements she made opposing the US' intervention in the war on Syria. 

Gabbard's appointment has sparked concern among intelligence officers who are uncertain about the extent to which she holds certain geopolitical views, and whether she is "misinformed" or merely aligning herself with Trump’s "Make America Great Again" supporters, according to one intelligence official. 

In response, Gabbard told Fox News on Wednesday night, "Of course, there’s going to be resistance to change from the 'swamp' in Washington." She added that voters had given Trump "an incredible mandate" to shift away from Biden’s policies, though she did not provide any specific policy details.

Clashing viewpoints 

Some analysts suggested that concerns over Gabbard might be alleviated by Trump’s appointment of John Ratcliffe, a former congressman and ex-director of national intelligence, as head of the CIA. While Ratcliffe is close to Trump and unlikely to challenge his policies, he is not considered an inflammatory figure and could serve as a counterbalance to Gabbard's appointment in overseeing the intelligence community.

However, other analysts warned that by surrounding Gabbard with controversial loyalists, such as Congressman Matt Gaetz for attorney general and Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, Trump is signaling his intention to reshape federal institutions without checks or balances. Democratic critics quickly criticized Gabbard, questioning her qualifications and warning that the new administration could use intelligence agencies for political purposes.

US Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, criticized Gabbard’s nomination, asserting that she was being appointed not for her ability to do the job, but to serve Trump’s interests.

Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for Secretary of State, defended Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as director of national intelligence, calling it a "revolutionary pick" with potential for constructive change. However, other Republicans were more cautious. Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Intelligence Committee, emphasized the Senate's constitutional responsibility to vet nominees thoroughly before making a decision.

Gabbard will need to be confirmed by a majority in the 100-member Senate, where Republicans will hold a 52-48 majority starting in January. Given their general willingness to support the party leader, this increases the likelihood that Gabbard will be confirmed, Reuters noted.

A former US intelligence officer highlighted that both allies and adversaries are closely watching the situation, questioning what Gabbard's appointment could mean for the US' role in intelligence collection and analysis.

  • United States
  • Tulsi Gabbard
  • US government
  • US intelligence
  • US elections 2024
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Hezbollah's now-Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, July 2, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Sheikh Qassem praises Iran resilience in face of 'Israel', US

Al Houthi: Overthrowing Islamic Republic impossible
US & Canada

Sayyed Al Houthi: Overthrowing Islamic Republic of Iran impossible

Reproductive violence used as genocide tool in Gaza: UN
Politics

Reproductive violence used as genocide tool in Gaza: UN

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS