Recent reports suggest that intelligence officials are working to undermine Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard from within the intelligence community. According to leaked communications, officials from the National Security Agency (NSA), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and the United States Space Command have allegedly engaged in discussions to discredit Gabbard, labeling her a “Russian asset,” “fervently anti-queer,” and a member of the “MAGA cult.” These revelations raise concerns about internal biases within the intelligence agencies tasked with safeguarding national security.
Leaked Communications and Allegations
The controversy emerged after conservative commentator Christopher Rufo disclosed messages from a confidential NSA chatroom where intelligence officials reportedly strategized ways to challenge Gabbard’s leadership. Some participants allegedly suggested withholding critical intelligence briefings, while others discussed leaking damaging information to media outlets. The nature of these discussions suggests an organized effort to delegitimize her authority.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii, has long been viewed as an outsider by Washington’s political establishment. Despite her military service and tenure in Congress, she has frequently challenged the foreign policy consensus, criticizing U.S. interventionism and questioning intelligence assessments on conflicts such as Syria and Ukraine. Her skepticism toward mainstream intelligence narratives has made her a target of both Democratic and Republican figures who support a more aggressive foreign policy stance.
Gabbard’s Confirmation and Political Tensions
Gabbard was confirmed as DNI on February 12, 2025, in a narrow 52-48 Senate vote, with strong opposition from establishment figures in both parties. During her confirmation hearings, she faced intense scrutiny over her past meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and her sympathetic stance toward whistleblower Edward Snowden. Critics accused her of being too friendly toward foreign adversaries, while supporters praised her for prioritizing transparency and accountability in intelligence operations.
Her confirmation signaled a major shift in the intelligence community, with expectations that she would implement reforms aimed at depoliticizing national security assessments. However, the leaked conversations suggest that some intelligence officials are unwilling to accept this shift, raising concerns about political activism within U.S. intelligence agencies.
Internal Review and Gabbard’s Response
In response to the allegations, Gabbard has ordered an internal review to identify and address potential biases within intelligence agencies. She has emphasized the need for impartiality in intelligence assessments and vowed to hold officials accountable if they engage in politically motivated actions.
Gabbard issued a statement condemning the reported efforts to undermine her leadership, stating, “The intelligence community must operate with integrity and objectivity. Any attempt to politicize intelligence or manipulate information for partisan purposes is a direct threat to our national security.”
Broader Implications for U.S. Intelligence
The allegations against intelligence officials come amid broader concerns about the politicization of national security agencies. In recent years, whistleblowers and former officials have raised alarms about intelligence agencies being used to advance partisan agendas rather than provide neutral, fact-based assessments. The situation with Gabbard underscores ongoing tensions between reform-minded leaders and entrenched bureaucratic institutions resistant to change.
As Gabbard moves forward with her agenda, she is expected to face continued resistance from elements within the intelligence community. Whether she can successfully implement her reforms will likely depend on her ability to build alliances within the administration and push back against those seeking to maintain the status quo.
