Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has fired two top intelligence officials following a controversial assessment about Venezuelan gang connections, raising questions about the politicization of intelligence under the Trump administration.
Quick Takes
- Tulsi Gabbard dismissed Acting National Intelligence Council Chairman Mike Collins and his deputy Maria Langan-Riekhof.
- The firings followed an intelligence assessment contradicting Trump administration claims about Venezuelan gangs.
- Gabbard is relocating the National Intelligence Council from CIA headquarters to ODNI offices.
- The dismissed officials had decades of experience in intelligence analysis.
- Gabbard has referred multiple intelligence leaks for criminal investigation.
Senior Intelligence Officials Ousted
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has dismissed two senior officials from the National Intelligence Council (NIC) in what appears to be an effort to counter what she describes as the “weaponization” of intelligence.
The officials removed were Acting NIC Chairman Mike Collins and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof. Collins brought nearly three decades of experience to his role and had previously worked closely with former CIA deputy director Michael Morell. Langan-Riekhof, with 33 years in the intelligence community, was appointed in 2019 during the Trump administration and had been recognized as one of the DNI’s “Exceptional Analysts.”
Gabbard Fires Top Intel Officials, Cracks Down on ‘Deep State’ in Bold First Move – https://t.co/cKuKNfAmy8
— Ceil Utnik (@UtnikCeil39401) May 15, 2025
Controversial Intelligence Assessment at Center of Dispute
The dismissals came after the National Intelligence Council issued an assessment that contradicted Trump administration claims regarding the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TDA). The declassified document stated that while Venezuela allows TDA to operate within its borders, the Maduro regime likely does not cooperate with or direct TDA operations in the United States. This finding directly challenges narratives from administration officials who had suggested coordination between the gang and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to destabilize American communities.
Restructuring Intelligence Operations
Beyond the personnel changes, Gabbard has ordered significant structural changes to the National Intelligence Council, which serves as the “analytic arm” of the intelligence community. The NIC is responsible for coordinating intelligence analysis for U.S. policymakers across agencies. Gabbard has directed that the NIC be relocated from CIA headquarters to office space within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). This physical move appears designed to assert greater direct control over the council’s operations and outputs.
National Security Implications
The removal of experienced intelligence officials raises concerns about continuity and expertise in national security analysis. The National Intelligence Council plays a crucial role in synthesizing intelligence from various agencies to provide comprehensive assessments for policymakers. Disruption to this process could affect the quality and timeliness of intelligence products at a time when the United States faces complex global challenges. Critics worry that politicization of intelligence could compromise objective analysis, while supporters argue that reforms are necessary to ensure intelligence serves national interests without partisan influence.
Sources:
House Speaker Johnson Removes Intelligence Chairman
Tulsi Gabbard Fires Top Intel Chiefs In Effort To Curb ‘Weaponization’
National Intelligence Council Acting Chair and Aide Fired
