Washington [US], February 13: The US Senate on February 12 approved Ms. Tulsi Gabbard for the position of leader of the US's leading intelligence agency.
The Senate approved with a 52-48 vote, confirming Ms. Gabbard to become the US Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a position responsible for overseeing the US intelligence community, including 18 intelligence agencies under US departments, Reuters reported.
This is considered a victory for President Donald Trump when another cabinet nominee is approved by the Senate. Ms. Gabbard is a controversial and skeptical candidate, having made statements that were considered supportive of America's opponents and lacking experience. She was a congresswoman representing the state of Hawaii, but has never worked for the intelligence agency or the House Intelligence Committee during her four terms in Congress.
Tulsi Gabbard was a Democrat from 2002 to 2022, before becoming an independent for two years, and finally becoming a Republican from 2024.
"The choice of the director of national intelligence is a very big deal," said Emily Harding, director of the intelligence, national security and technology program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS, USA). She said the position would have broad access to classified documents and be the main intelligence adviser to the sitting president.
The US Office of National Intelligence was established after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 , with the task of coordinating the country's intelligence apparatus and is one of the most important national security positions in the US.
Despite her confirmation, Gabbard's vote was still very close compared to her predecessors. Previous DNI candidates have all had intelligence experience and received broad bipartisan support. Daniel Coats was approved as DNI during Trump's first term with 85 votes.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
