WASHINGTON — In a significant move early Wednesday morning, the Republican-led Senate voted to confirm Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence under President Donald Trump, placing the former congresswoman in a pivotal role overseeing the extensive U.S. intelligence community.

The vote concluded with a narrow 52-48 margin, primarily reflecting party lines, as nearly all present Republicans supported Gabbard. Notably, Senator Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., the former Senate leader who has had his disagreements with Trump, was the only Republican to align with Democrats in opposition.

Gabbard’s confirmation marks a victory for Trump, further illustrating his stronghold over the GOP, where dissent has become increasingly rare.

Following Trump’s announcement of Gabbard as his nominee in November, both Democrats and some Republicans raised alarms regarding her controversial 2017 meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad, her favorable comments about Russia, her previous calls to repeal a significant government surveillance provision under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act’s Section 702, and her prior support for Edward Snowden, the whistleblower who leaked classified information regarding U.S. spying activities.

Before her nomination, Gabbard had advocated for a pardon for Snowden. However, during her confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee last month, she shifted her stance, indicating she would not pursue clemency for him, though she declined to label Snowden a “traitor” when questioned by Republican senators.

Additionally, Gabbard softened her previous criticisms of Section 702 during the hearing, describing it as an “essential” instrument after Congress enacted new safeguards last year.

Ultimately, McConnell stood alone among Republicans in voting against Gabbard. In a blistering statement after the vote, he expressed concern about Gabbard’s qualifications, citing a “pattern of troubling decision-making.”

“The Senate’s authority to provide advice and consent is not optional; it is a duty that must be upheld. When a nominee’s background demonstrates unworthiness for the highest level of public trust and their understanding of relevant policies falls short, the Senate should deny consent,” McConnell stated, highlighting his concerns about Gabbard’s statements regarding Snowden, Chinese aggression, and Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

“In my view, Tulsi Gabbard did not show she is equipped to take on this significant national responsibility.”

Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, a moderate and crucial swing vote on the Intelligence Committee, previously expressed reservations but ultimately backed Gabbard shortly after the confirmation hearing. Collins helped draft the legislation that created the DNI position in 2004.

“The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has expanded significantly beyond its original design, and Ms. Gabbard aligns with my vision of returning the agency to its intended scale,” Collins commented in a recent statement. “She satisfactorily addressed my concerns regarding her views on Edward Snowden during our discussions.”

Democrats were vocally critical of Gabbard, suggesting that Republicans prioritized party loyalty over national security interests.

“Rather than presenting facts and truths, Ms. Gabbard often resorts to falsehoods and conspiracy theories,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., remarked on the Senate floor Tuesday. “The director of national intelligence must be resolute against America’s adversaries. Yet, Ms. Gabbard has spent her career appearing sympathetic to figures like Vladimir Putin and Bashar Al Assad.”

The Director of National Intelligence oversees the 18 agencies that constitute the U.S. intelligence network, which includes the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Security Agency. This role also involves advising the president on intelligence-related matters.

Tulsi Gabbard, 43, is an Iraq War veteran with over two decades of service in the Army Reserve. Previously a member of the Hawaii Democratic Party, she held positions in the state House and as a member of the Honolulu City Council before representing Hawaii in the House of Representatives from 2013 to 2021. Following an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, Gabbard endorsed Joe Biden over Trump.

However, her relationship with the Biden administration soured, leading her to leave the Democratic Party in 2022. Last October, Gabbard announced her switch to the Republican Party and endorsed Trump, campaigning alongside him as the 2024 election approached.

Senate to Vote on Advancing RFK Jr.’s Nomination for Health Secretary

The Senate is also scheduled to move forward with a key procedural vote on the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s unconventional choice for Secretary of Health and Human Services. If Kennedy secures a simple majority, he could achieve confirmation by Thursday morning.

Some Republicans have expressed doubts about Kennedy due to his past vaccine skepticism and abortion stance. However, during a less-than-stellar performance at his confirmation hearing last month, Kennedy stated that he now recognizes the vital role vaccines play in healthcare. When asked about his views on abortion, he aligned himself with President Trump, suggesting that “every abortion is a tragedy,” and asserted that abortion laws should be determined at the state level.

Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., a physician and chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee who was seen as a key swing vote, endorsed RFK Jr. last week after securing several important commitments from him.

Cassidy noted that RFK and the Trump administration agreed to “uphold the public health value of vaccination.” RFK also pledged to maintain a “close collaborative working relationship” with Cassidy, speaking to him multiple times each month, with the possibility of appearing before the HELP committee quarterly if necessary, according to Cassidy.