Former Hawaii U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick to serve as director of national intelligence, appears before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Screenshot from committee webcast)
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins announced Monday that she will support the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to serve as Director of National Intelligence in the Trump administration.
As one of President Donald Trump’s most vulnerable Cabinet nominees, the Maine Republican’s support means Gabbard will likely be confirmed to that position despite concerns about her views on foreign policy, her meetings with the former Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and accusations of promoting Russian propaganda.
“As one of the principal authors of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that established this coordinating position, I understand the critical role the DNI plays in the Intelligence Community,” said Collins, who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, however, has become far larger than it was designed to be, and Ms. Gabbard shares my vision of returning the agency to its intended size.”
If confirmed, Gabbard would oversee 18 agencies and organizations in the intelligence community and be responsible for a budget of more than $100 billion.
During the Senate confirmation hearing last week, Collins questioned Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and former U.S. representative for Hawaii, on whether she would recommend any kind of clemency for Edward Snowden — a former National Security Agency contractor who leaked classified information regarding surveillance efforts.
In her statement Monday, Collins said Gabbard addressed her concerns.
States Newsroom reporter Shauneen Miranda contributed to this story.