Concerns Rise Over Tulsi Gabbard's DNI Nomination

Former U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as director of national intelligence under President-elect Donald Trump is facing significant backlash from nearly 100 former diplomats and intelligence officials. They have requested closed-door Senate hearings to scrutinize her qualifications, citing concerns over her controversial past, including meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and her skepticism towards U.S. intelligence assessments on Syria. Critics argue that her history could undermine the credibility of U.S. intelligence briefings and the nation's intelligence-sharing relationships with allies. Gabbard's team has dismissed the criticism as partisan attacks from officials with a history of intelligence failures. The letter from former officials highlights her potential to be the least experienced appointee for the role, raising alarms about her ability to oversee the 18 intelligence agencies. Despite the opposition, Gabbard's nomination aligns with a broader philosophy of limited military engagement, reflecting her past advocacy for significant changes to U.S. foreign policy.