Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed as Director of National Intelligence by a 52-48 vote in a massive blow to the Deep state bureaucrats.
There was only one GOP defection while no Democrats supported her. It will not surprise that the lone no GOP vote came from Mitch McConnell (KY).
“The intelligence community needs to refocus on its core mission — collecting intelligence and providing unbiased analysis of that information,” said Republican Majority Leader John Thune, praising Gabbard on Monday as lawmakers began debating her nomination.
“That’s what Tulsi Gabbard is committed to ensuring,” Thune said. “And I believe she has the knowledge and leadership capabilities to get it done.”
Democrats were less enthusiastic, making last minute pleas to their Republican colleagues to reject Gabbard.
“We simply cannot, in good conscience, trust our most classified secrets to someone who echoes Russian propaganda and falls for conspiracy theories,” said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, addressing lawmakers before Wednesday’s vote.
Schumer also alleged that most Republicans secretly agree.
“If we had a secret ballot, Gabbard might get 10 votes,” he said. “People know. That’s why they raise so many questions. But Donald Trump and Elon Musk evidently threaten them, and they’re changing their view.”
Gabbard was the perhaps the Trump nominee with the biggest question mark due to her long-held opposition to foreign wars and advocacy against intelligence agencies spying on the American people.
At various points, Senators such as Susan Collins of Maine, John Curtis of Utah, and Todd Young of Indiana all expressed concerns about her views and ability to serve America.
Most of the rumors surrounded Collins.
She previously told The Hill that she had many concerns about Gabbard’s stance on Section 702 of the FISA which gives government permission to spy on ‘foreign’ targets without a warrant and was rumored to derail her nomination om The Senate Intel Committee.
There was even talk about the Senate Intel Committee hiding their votes from the American people so no one would know they voted.
This would have proved convenient if they decided to kill Gabbard’s nomination.
The full Senate on Monday night then voted 52-46 to invoke cloture and advance Gabbard’s confirmation as DNI to a final Senate vote.
