Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed to Run — And Downsize — ODNI

Sen. Mitch McConnell broke with Republicans and voted against Gabbard’s confirmation as director of national intelligence.

Tulsi Gabbard 2025 AP-25030571243915

John McDonnell/AP

Tulsi Gabbard is set to become director of national intelligence after the Senate voted Wednesday morning to confirm her to President Donald Trump’s cabinet.

Sen. Mitch McConnell was the lone Republican to join all the Democrats in the Senate in voting against Gabbard. McConnell also voted against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s nomination last month.

“The nation should not have to worry that the intelligence assessments the President receives are tainted by a Director of National Intelligence with a history of alarming lapses in judgment,” the senator said in a statement after the Gabbard vote.