President Trump publicly dismissed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s assessment downplaying Iran’s nuclear threat, calling it irrelevant to his administration’s stance. Speaking aboard Air Force One on June 17, 2025, Trump declared Iran “very close” to obtaining a nuclear weapon—directly opposing Gabbard’s March testimony that Iran was not actively pursuing a weapons program.
Gabbard, who testified before Congress in March stating Iran had not reactivated its nuclear weapons program since 2003, viewed evidence of uranium enrichment as inconclusive on weaponization. Trump, however, asserted his alignment with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, arguing Israel’s intelligence indicates a looming nuclear capability in Tehran. He emphasized that U.S. air superiority over Iranian airspace renders any shift in policy unnecessary—for now.
The dispute highlights a growing rift within national security circles. Trump faces pushback from isolationist voices like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon, while interventionists such as Sen. Lindsey Graham advocate for a firm response. Despite Republican fractures, the White House insists that Gabbard and Trump remain “on the same page,” though their diametrically opposed briefings signal internal inconsistencies.
