Washington, D.C. - Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley has voiced her opposition to the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) by President-elect Donald Trump, citing concerns over Gabbard's perceived sympathies towards countries such as Russia, Syria, Iran, and China.
Haley has also expressed criticism of Gabbard's stance on various issues, including her opposition to the termination of the Iran nuclear deal, her doubts regarding the involvement of Bashar al-Assad in chemical weapons attacks in Syria, and her remarks on the conflict in Ukraine, where Gabbard has been accused of blaming NATO for Russia's invasion.
These criticisms were shared during a podcast hosted by Haley on her social media platform.
In an interview, Haley questioned Gabbard's suitability for the role of DNI, highlighting her opposition to ending the Iran nuclear deal, her stance on sanctions against Iran, and her defense of the Iran military as terrorists. She emphasized that Gabbard's positions could pose a risk to the integrity of the intelligence community.
Furthermore, Haley criticized Gabbard for her support of Russia, Syria, Iran, and China, noting that Gabbard has not publicly denounced any of these views, indicating a lack of consistency in her policy positions. She argued that the DNI position requires an individual who can analyze real threats to national security, rather than one who aligns with countries that are considered sponsors of terrorism.
Additionally, Haley accused Gabbard of attempting to reduce the United States' defense budget in order to prevent punitive actions against Iran, suggesting that Gabbard's approach could compromise the country's national security.
Overall, Haley's remarks underscore her reservations about Gabbard's qualifications and policy positions, raising concerns about her potential impact on the intelligence community and the nation's national security.
Haley also addressed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, expressing criticism towards Tulsi Gabbard for her stance on NATO's responsibility for the Russian aggression towards Ukraine. She stated, "Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Tulsi Gabbard was directly implicated in attributing the blame to NATO, our western alliance tasked with countering Russian aggression. This attribution was echoed by both the Russian and Chinese media, who adopted her narrative and perspectives on the matter."
Furthermore, Haley highlighted Gabbard's advocacy for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and the pardon of Edward Snowden, both of whom were charged with leaking classified US information.
In a notable event, during the announcement of Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), President Trump commended Gabbard's dedication to the nation and the preservation of American freedoms over the course of her twenty-two years in public service.
"I am delighted to announce the appointment of former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Throughout her tenure, Tulsi has been a staunch advocate for our nation and the liberties of all Americans," he declared.
"As a candidate for the Democratic Presidential Nomination, Tulsi has garnered widespread support across party lines. She has since embraced her role as a Republican, demonstrating her commitment to the fearless ethos that has characterized her distinguished career. Tulsi is poised to lead our Intelligence Community with a renewed focus on upholding our Constitutional rights, ensuring peace through strength, and making us all proud," President Trump concluded.
In a significant political milestone, President Trump was re-elected to a second term as President of the United States, securing 295 electoral votes in the 2024 presidential election, a victory over Democratic challenger Kamala Harris, who received 226 electoral votes.a
