Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, is attempting to mend her relationship with President Trump after tensions arose last week following comments she made about the war in the Middle East.
A few days ago, after Israel’s attack on Iran, Gabbard released a video on her social media channels in which she said that “political elite and warmongers” are “carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers,” placing the world “on the brink of nuclear annihilation.” Sources close to the intelligence director have said that she is opposed to possible US military intervention in the Middle East.
In March, Gabbard also testified before Congress, stating that although Iran’s enriched uranium levels were at an all-time high, experts believed that Tehran was not currently seeking to develop a nuclear bomb. This version of events is diametrically opposed to that supported by the president and the Jewish state.
Given recent events in the Middle East, Gabbard’s testimony has been repeatedly highlighted this week. “What intelligence do you have that Iran is building a nuclear weapon? Your intelligence community had said they have no evidence that they are at this point,” a reporter asked Trump on Friday as he arrived in New Jersey.
“Well, then, my intelligence community is wrong,” Trump said. “Who in the intelligence community said that? Tulsi Gabbard? She’s wrong”.
After the president’s words, Gabbard decided to reverse her previous positions, writing on X: “The dishonest media is intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division. America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the assembly. President Trump has been clear that can’t happen, and I agree.”
After the intelligence director’s U-turn, the White House also came to her defense, explaining: “Gabbard’s testimony has consistently backed up President Trump’s position — and shame on the media for trying to twist it and misrepresent the truth.”
Earlier in the week, Vice President Vance also backed Gabbard, saying: “Tulsi is a veteran, a patriot, a loyal supporter of Pres Trump and a critical part of the coalition he built in 2024. She’s an essential member of our nat sec team, & we’re grateful for her tireless work to keep America safe from foreign threats.”
