1. Pro-Russian Sympathies: Gabbard has a rich history of echoing Kremlin-aligned rhetoric. In one glaring example she criticized U.S. support for Ukraine and suggested that NATO's expansion provoked Russia's invasion, a claim widely dismissed by Western experts as pure disinformation. Gabbard’s statements were consistent with the message coming straight out of Russian propaganda.
2. Controversial Foreign Contacts: Gabbard met with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2017, a move that drew bipartisan criticism and caused deep worry among national security officials. Assad was widely regarded as a war criminal, and Gabbard's refusal to unequivocally condemn him raised questions about her judgment.
3. Lack of Intelligence Experience: Gabbard would be the least experienced DNI since the position's creation. Gabbard simply lacks a background in intelligence work. In a letter from 100 former intelligence officials argues that the role of DNI requires expertise in evaluating uncertain and complex intelligence, which she has not demonstrated.
4. Trustworthiness among Allies: Gabbard's past statements and positions could alienate U.S. allies, who may hesitate to share sensitive intelligence under her leadership. This undermines global security partnerships critical to U.S. interests and empowers America’s adversaries.
5. Credibility and Conspiracy: Gabbard's history of promoting controversial opinions and conspiracy theories damage the DNI office’s credibility within our own intelligence community. Critics also fear she would pursue political narratives over valid intelligence assessments, jeopardizing the credibility of U.S. intelligence operations on a global scale.
