Gabbard Ousts NIC Leaders After Venezuelan Gang Report

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has fired Acting Chair Mike Collins and Deputy Maria Langan-Riekhof, the top two officials at the National Intelligence Council (NIC), after the recent declassification of an NIC assessment that contradicted President Trump’s claims about Venezuelan government control of the Tren de Aragua gang—a central justification for invoking the Alien Enemies Act to deport migrants. Gabbard also relocated the NIC from the CIA to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, arguing these steps address 'politicization' and 'weaponization' of intelligence and will improve accountability. The CIA confirmed the NIC has always been a DNI component and supported the move for greater efficiency. Critics, including former intelligence officials and Democratic lawmakers, view the firings and restructuring as politically motivated purges that threaten the independence of intelligence analysis. Supporters claim the ousted officials had political biases and ties to controversial figures. The changes have heightened concerns about a chilling effect on intelligence professionals and the risk of increased politicization within the intelligence community.