Why Was Mitch McConnell the Only Senator to Vote “No” on Tulsi Gabbard?

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Tulsi Gabbard, former Democratic congresswoman and military veteran, has been confirmed as Director of National Intelligence in a narrow Senate vote, sparking controversy and debate over her qualifications and past positions.

Quick Takes

Gabbard confirmed as Director of National Intelligence by a 52-48 Senate vote
Mitch McConnell was the only Republican to vote against her confirmation
Concerns raised about Gabbard’s lack of intelligence experience and past stances
GOP support solidified after Gabbard’s commitment to refocus the agency
Democrats opposed nomination, questioning her ability to maintain intelligence sharing

Senate Confirms Gabbard Amid Controversy

In a contentious Senate vote, Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed as President Donald Trump’s Director of National Intelligence. The former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii secured her position with a narrow 52-48 margin, reflecting the divided opinions on her appointment. Gabbard, a military veteran with no formal intelligence experience, faced scrutiny over her past stances on foreign policy and lack of experience in running a government agency.

The confirmation process highlighted deep partisan divides, with most Republicans rallying behind Gabbard while Democrats unanimously opposed her nomination. Notably, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell broke ranks with his party, becoming the sole Republican to vote against Gabbard’s appointment. McConnell’s opposition stemmed from concerns about Gabbard’s judgment and the potential risks associated with her lack of experience in the intelligence field.

Tulsi Gabbard confirmed as Director of National Intelligence in a 52-48 vote.

The only Republican who voted no was Mitch McConnell. pic.twitter.com/RdfOyUg909

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) February 12, 2025

GOP Support and Democratic Opposition

Republican senators, initially hesitant due to Gabbard’s controversial positions, eventually threw their support behind her after she committed to refocusing the intelligence community in line with President Trump’s vision. This promise to address concerns about the politicization of intelligence agencies played a crucial role in securing GOP votes. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska exemplified this shift, stating, “While I continue to have concerns about certain positions she has previously taken, I appreciate her commitment to rein in the outsized scope of the agency.”

Democrats, on the other hand, unanimously opposed Gabbard’s nomination. They raised concerns about her ability to maintain intelligence sharing relationships with allies and stand up to President Trump when necessary. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York vocalized these apprehensions stating, “we simply cannot in good conscience trust our most classified secrets to someone who echoes Russian propaganda and falls for conspiracy theories”, highlighting Gabbard’s past statements that seemed to align with Russian propaganda and her susceptibility to conspiracy theories.

Controversies Surrounding Gabbard’s Appointment

Gabbard’s confirmation was marked by controversy due to her lack of direct intelligence experience and her past actions that raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Her previous praise for Edward Snowden and her meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad were particularly contentious points during her confirmation hearings. Gabbard defended these actions, stating that she had pressed Assad on human rights issues and acknowledged that Snowden had broken the law.

The past statements from Gabbard led to long time member of the senate Mitch McConnell to be the lone no vote from the republicans with his reasoning being, “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”

Adding to the controversy, nearly 100 former national security officers warned about Gabbard’s lack of experience for the role of Director of National Intelligence. Her ties to the Science of Identity Foundation, described by some as an extremist religious organization, further fueled skepticism about her suitability for the position. Despite these concerns, President Trump praised Gabbard as a “courageous and often lonely voice” during her swearing-in ceremony, emphasizing his confidence in her ability to lead the intelligence community.

As Gabbard assumes her new role, she faces the challenging task of bridging trust gaps within the intelligence community and optimizing collaboration amid ongoing scrutiny. Her performance in this critical position will be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike, as she navigates the complex landscape of national security and intelligence gathering in an increasingly polarized political environment.