On February 12, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence (DNI) with a 52-48 vote, primarily along party lines. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and military veteran, was nominated by President Donald Trump for the role. 

Her nomination was contentious due to her past positions, including sympathetic remarks towards Russia, a meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017, and support for whistleblower Edward Snowden. Despite these concerns, Gabbard assured skeptical Republican senators that she would not recommend a pardon for Snowden and pledged to focus on the core missions of the intelligence community. 

Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised Gabbard's patriotism and leadership capabilities, while former GOP leader Mitch McConnell voted against her, citing concerns about her preparedness for the role. All Democrats opposed the nomination, expressing apprehension about her stance on intelligence sharing and potential biases towards Russian interests. 

Gabbard's confirmation reflects President Trump's ongoing efforts to reshape the federal intelligence landscape, emphasizing reduced bureaucracy and increased transparency within the intelligence community.