Kamal Ghorui
Fresh questions are swirling around the future of Tulsi Gabbard after Donald Trump privately sounded out advisers on whether she should remain in one of the administration’s most sensitive roles.According to a report by the Guardian, Trump has asked cabinet officials in recent weeks if he should replace Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. The conversations followed his growing frustration over her handling of internal disagreements linked to the US stance on Iran war.At the centre of the tension is former deputy Joe Kent, who resigned after arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the US. Trump was already angered by Kent’s remarks, but matters worsened when Gabbard declined to condemn him during testimony before Congress at a worldwide threats hearing last month.Sources said Trump was particularly displeased that Gabbard appeared reluctant to fully back the administration’s justification for military action against Iran. Her position came from long-held views, including her opposition to US involvement in foreign wars and earlier statements questioning the legality of pre-emptive strikes.Despite the criticism, Trump has offered a measured public response. “Yeah, sure,” he told reporters when asked if he still had confidence in her. “I mean, she’s a little bit different in her thought process than me, but that doesn’t make somebody not available to serve.”The White House has also calmed speculation. Spokesperson Steven Cheung said, “As President Trump just said in his remarks, he has confidence in Director Gabbard and the tireless work she is doing. He has assembled the most talented and impactful cabinet ever, and they have collectively delivered historic victories on behalf of the American people.”However, no clear replacement for Gabbard has emerged, making any immediate decision less likely.The uncertainty comes amid scrutiny of Gabbard’s tenure. She has faced criticism from within the GOP administration on multiple fronts, including a video warning about nuclear war after a visit to Hiroshima, which reportedly irritated Trump. He also publicly contradicted her earlier this year after she told lawmakers that Iran had not decided to build a nuclear weapon. “She’s wrong,” Trump said before authorising strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities using American B-2 bombers.Still, she has also earned Trump’s approval at times, including for backing an assessment that Russia did not attempt to boost his 2016 campaign.For now, Gabbard remains in post, with her office insisting she is focused on her duties. “Over the past two weeks, President Trump said both that he has confidence in the DNI and that she did well at her hearings before Congress. She remains committed to fulfilling the responsibilities the president placed in her,” spokesperson Olivia Coleman said.
