U.S. Sen. Todd Young, Indiana’s senior Republican senator, calls legacy and donor admissions “aristocratic perpetuation.” (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle)
U.S. Sen. Todd Young announced Tuesday he would support Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence.
The move comes after conservative high-profile attacks over the weekend following an unconfirmed report that he would vote against Gabbard, a veteran and former congresswoman.
“American intelligence officers around the globe deserve our respect and support. I appreciate Tulsi Gabbard’s engagement with me on a variety of issues to ensure that our intelligence professionals will be supported and policymakers will receive unbiased information under her leadership,” Young said in a released statement. “I have done what the Framers envisioned for senators to do: use the consultative process to seek firm commitments, in this case commitments that will advance our national security, which is my top priority as a former Marine Corps intelligence officer. Having now secured these commitments, I will support Tulsi’s nomination and look forward to working with her to protect our national security.”
On Sunday Meghan McCain – daughter of former U.S. Sen. John McCain — called Young “the new Liz Cheney” and claimed he was actively trying to stop Gabbard from getting the job.
X owner Elon Musk also called Young a “deep state puppet” before reportedly having a conversation with Young and deleting the post.
Young, a moderate Republican, has been known for occasionally bucking Trump in the past. And he worked across the aisle to pass the Chips and Science Act to buttress the manufacturing of semiconductor chips in the United States.
But he has supported all of Trump’s nominees so far this year, including Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. And Young said on X that he will support Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
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