President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. intelligence community sharply criticized the stances of these agencies under previous presidents, accusing them of using their powers to sabotage Trump and attempting to tarnish her reputation.
Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard told members of the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday that she would bring “a new perspective” if confirmed as Director of National Intelligence and would restore trust in the 18 agencies of the intelligence community, which she said is “at its lowest point.”
“For too long, inaccurate, insufficient, or politically-motivated intelligence has led to costly failures and undermined our national security and the God-given freedoms we hold dear,” Gabbard said during her confirmation hearing.
“The conclusion is clear: this must stop,” she added.
“The re-election of President Trump is a clear mandate from the American people to end this cycle of failure and the politicization of the intelligence community.”
Gabbard also attacked those who have criticized her appointment, arguing that she is “loyal to nothing and no one except God, my conscience, and the Constitution of the United States,” she said.
“What really concerns my political opponents is that I refuse to be their puppet,” she stated in her opening remarks.
Trump’s decision to nominate Gabbard for the position immediately after his victory in the November presidential election surprised some lawmakers and former intelligence officials.
