Gabbard Shakes Up Intelligence Community, Fires Officials Amid Politicization Concerns
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has initiated a significant restructuring within the intelligence community, marked by the dismissal of key figures at the National Intelligence Council (NIC) and a shift in the agency’s oversight to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). These moves, according to sources within the intelligence community, are aimed at curbing alleged politicization of intelligence analysis and addressing unauthorized disclosures of classified information.
Gabbard’s actions have been met with both support and criticism, as they reflect a broader debate about the role of intelligence agencies in a politically charged environment. Whistleblowers have voiced concerns regarding the political leanings of certain intelligence officials, alleging that some individuals have actively worked against the Trump administration’s agenda.
Specifically, Gabbard terminated the employment of Mike Collins, the acting chair of the National Intelligence Council, and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof, on Tuesday. Senior intelligence officials speaking to Fox News Digital cited concerns about Collins’ alleged political bias and his involvement in efforts to undermine the Trump administration during its transition period.
These officials pointed to Collins’ close association with Michael Morrell, the former deputy director of the CIA, who spearheaded a public letter in 2020 asserting that Hunter Biden’s laptop bore the hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign. The letter, signed by numerous former intelligence officials, was widely criticized for potentially influencing public opinion during the presidential election.
Langan-Reikhof, on the other hand, was characterized by officials as a prominent advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Whistleblowers reportedly alleged that she harbored strong opposition to President Trump, although specific details regarding her alleged actions have not been publicly disclosed.
The move to transfer the National Intelligence Council from the CIA to the ODNI is a strategic decision aimed at enhancing accountability and preventing future instances of politicization. By bringing the NIC directly under the ODNI’s purview, Gabbard seeks to exert greater control over the agency’s operations and ensure that intelligence analysis remains objective and unbiased.
Sources within the intelligence community have described the presence of "career bureaucrats" entrenched in Washington politics who are allegedly responsible for leaking classified information. These leaks, they argue, undermine national security and serve to advance political agendas. One official stated that efforts are underway to identify and remove these individuals, as well as eliminate non-essential offices within the ODNI that are suspected of harboring "deep state leakers."
A CIA official, while acknowledging the transfer of the NIC to the ODNI, maintained that the council has always been a component of the DNI. They suggested that the move simply formalizes the existing relationship and facilitates closer collaboration.
These actions are consistent with Gabbard’s stated commitment to restore transparency and accountability within the intelligence community. She has established a new intelligence community task force, known as the Director’s Initiative Group (DIG), to investigate weaponization of intelligence, root out politicization, and expose unauthorized disclosures of classified information. The DIG is also tasked with declassifying information that serves the public interest.
Furthermore, Gabbard has taken action against employees who participated in sexually explicit National Security Agency chatrooms and is pursuing disciplinary measures against individuals responsible for unauthorized leaks of classified information.
In April, Fox News Digital reported that Gabbard had referred three intelligence community professionals to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution over alleged leaks of classified information to The Washington Post and The New York Times. An ODNI official confirmed that these individuals are suspected of disclosing classified information.
Gabbard has emphasized that politicization of intelligence and the leaking of classified information pose a significant threat to national security and must be stopped. She vowed to hold accountable those who leak classified information to the fullest extent of the law.
Currently, the ODNI is reportedly investigating 12 other intelligence officials over alleged leaks of classified information. In early May, two bureaucrats described as "CIA detailees" were reportedly fired for leaking information about the violent Tren de Aragua gang to The New York Times. Officials claimed that the bureaucrats had failed to follow proper procedures.
These efforts to reform the intelligence community have been hampered by delays in the confirmation of key intelligence nominees. Officials have expressed concern that the absence of confirmed leaders in critical positions, such as principal deputy director of national intelligence; National Counterterrorism Center; National Counterintelligence and Security Center; intelligence inspector general; and general counsel, is hindering the implementation of the Trump administration’s agenda.
The shakeup at the National Intelligence Council and the broader efforts to address politicization and leaks within the intelligence community reflect a concerted effort by Director Gabbard to restore integrity and objectivity to the intelligence process. However, these actions have also sparked controversy and raised questions about the potential for political interference in intelligence analysis. The long-term impact of these changes remains to be seen.
