Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for Director of National Intelligence is picking up speed with a key Republican senator voicing her support, though one holdout still lingers.
Key Facts:
- Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced she will support Gabbard’s DNI nomination.
- Collins sits on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which votes on Tuesday.
- Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., remains uncertain about how he will vote.
- Entrepreneur Elon Musk
The Rest of The Story:
Sen. Collins said she based her support on Gabbard’s views about returning the intelligence community’s top office to its original scope. She explained that the current Office of the DNI has grown beyond the bounds set by the 2004 legislation she helped craft.
Collins is known for occasionally voting with Democrats, most recently on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s confirmation. That independent streak made her decision on Gabbard less certain.
Ultimately, she cited Gabbard’s answers during open and closed hearings, along with a private meeting, as the basis for her support.
Meanwhile, Sen. Todd Young’s hesitance has drawn attention from billionaire Elon Musk, who criticized Young online.
Elon Musk called Indiana Senator Todd Young a "deep state puppet" in a now-deleted post on X. Musk later retracted the statement after he and Young had an offline conversation.https://t.co/CP33wlvcDo
— FOX59 News (@FOX59) February 2, 2025
A spokesperson for Young told Fox News Digital that the two had a “great conversation” about shared interests, including DOGE.
Commentary:
Gabbard now appears one step closer to sealing her nomination. Any continued delay from Republican senators is creating unnecessary tension in a process that should be straightforward.
According to Vice President Vance, the authority to choose cabinet members lies with the president, and senators are not meant to block these decisions based on single-issue disagreements.
VP JD Vance says he doesn't expect to be the deciding vote on Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, and RFK Jr., but "if Tulsi, Bobby, or Kash need my vote as the tiebreaker, they will have it." pic.twitter.com/rPuiaoxkhf
— Julia 🇺🇸 (@Jules31415) February 2, 2025
In this situation, it would be best for the committee to move ahead. The president’s team should have the support from his own party needed to fill national security roles without excessive challenges.
It is a moment for party unity and collaboration. If there are reservations, they can be addressed in future policy debates rather than through stalling key appointments.
Ensuring that competent leaders like Gabbard get confirmed swiftly is essential for national security.
There is no benefit in dragging out votes on qualified nominees.
The Bottom Line:
Support from Sen. Collins puts Gabbard on a stronger path toward confirmation.
With one Republican senator still on the fence, the nomination’s success may hinge on swift alignment within the party.
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