The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence on Wednesday in a 52-48 vote, with Sen. Mitch McConnell as the lone Republican opposing her.
Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who became a Republican and endorsed Trump in 2024, faced criticism over a past meeting with Syria’s now-deposed President Bashar al-Assad and her support for NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.
Despite initial skepticism, she secured key GOP backing, with supporters arguing she will refocus the intelligence community. President Trump praised her confirmation, calling her a “fearless” leader committed to national security and constitutional rights.
In other confirmation news, the Senate voted Wednesday to advance Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination as Health and Human Services secretary, setting up a final confirmation vote today.
