Trump’s Surprising Pick: Tulsi Gabbard Named U.S. Intelligence Chief, Sparking Global Spy Community Reactions
Allied leaders and analysts are raising concerns over the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as Trump US intelligence chief
The nomination of ex-Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard by President-elect Donald Trump to become the director of National Intelligence has raised quite a storm within America’s intelligence circles and foreign allies’ circles.
It is an ordinary practice for Donald Trump in naming loyalists to key positions, sparking speculation about whether loyalty will supersede qualifications.
Lacking deep experience in the intelligence arena, mixed with past views perceived as sympathetic toward Russia and Syria, has triggered skepticism regarding the future trajectory of U.S. intelligence.
This is a concern because advancement of Trump loyalists to key positions will lead to politicized intelligence assessments based on their preference.
For example, experts say such an approach compromises the integrity of intelligence analysis because some advisors may withhold or filter information to suit the agenda of the president.
One important concern is that foreign allies might not be willing to cooperate over matters of intelligence, particularly in the case of the “Five Eyes” alliance comprised of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The fact that pro-Trump leaders will apparently continue for at least two years will reportedly have an initial pace of slowing down sharing of intelligence with its allies during the duration of Trump’s presidency by a Western security source.
Gabbard on Russia and Syria
Her appointment has raised alarm because Gabbard had, in previous times, made some diplomatically inexplicable statements on foreign policy issues. She has publicly protested U.S. aid to Ukraine, which has invited suspicion of pro-Russian leanings.
The public also deemed her somehow unpatriotic when it was reported that she had met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017 amid much criticism and condemnation from U.S. officials and other allies.
Some intelligence officers wonder whether Gabbard really supports such stances or merely absorbs the content of the Trump “America First” philosophy.
Recent comments suggest Gabbard will fall into line with the Trump agenda, but details regarding specifics in policy are still missing.
Foreign Responses: Allies Muddling Through Change
International intelligence and defense officials are exercising caution in response. They’re practical people.
I think they’ll find their way,” said a senior European intelligence official about the EU countries, admitting concerns about Gabbard’s closeness to Russia, but when it comes to her ultimate control over US foreign policy, most of them appear more sanguine than panicky.
Another European defense official admitted the situation, remarking that Gabbard was even “firmly in the Russia camp,” but allied nations were prepared to ride through the transition, though attentively.
Those restrained but watchful reactions suggest that while allies seem to fear, they are not panic-stricken as yet.
John Ratcliffe and Trump’s Broader Appointments
The appointment of John Ratcliffe to lead the CIA appears to be another consolidating move by Trump.
While an ardent supporter of Trump, John Ratcliffe’s stint as the director of national intelligence was less controversial than many would have expected it to be when he headed the department during the first term of President Trump.
The considerers think that Ratcliffe might find a good balance between Gabbard’s prevocational impact within the intelligence realm.
However, critics point out that the slate of controversy-personified nominees suggests a larger, unmoored agenda to remake federal institutions.
Democratic Critics and Skepticism Over Gabbard’s Qualifications
However, critics of Gabbard, especially from the Democratic Party, hold against her inexperience in intelligence work and the likelihood of politicizing the office.
They warn that having Gabbard in the ODNI could be damaging to the office created after 9/11 to improve coordination among agencies in the intelligence community.
The skepticism against her qualifications also reflects concerns that her appointment is merely an enabling mechanism for policies that Trump would enact rather than the carrying out of the purposes for which the ODNI was created.
Simply put, the appointment of Tulsi Gabbard as the U.S. intelligence chief reflects a very contentious shift in the leadership of Trump, raising mixed opinions and several questions about whether there will be future objectivity and collaboration by the U.S. intelligence community.
