Department of National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard testified in front of the Senate Intelligence Committee today, where she answered questions regarding a lack of intelligence briefings on foreign threats to the current 2026 midterm elections.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) opened the congressional hearings involving the Trump administration’s top national security officials’ testimonies, expressing his outrage. "For months, the committee has repeatedly requested briefings from the [intelligence community], briefings that are required by law on legitimate foreign threats to the midterms," Warner commented, adding that the committee has received no response. "Now that silence, I believe, should concern every member of the committee, because it clearly demonstrates the [director of national intelligence] is not interested in protecting American democracy by combating foreign influence.”
Gabbard Speaks on Iran
During her opening remarks, Gabbard addressed Iran, stating that the U.S. intelligence community’s assessments revealed that the "regime in Iran appears to be intact, but largely degraded due to attacks on its leadership and military capabilities." "Its conventional military power projection capabilities have largely been destroyed, leaving limited options. Iran’s strategic position has been significantly degraded," she added.
Gabbard Addresses Her Role in Fulton County
In response to Sen. Warner’s criticism of Gabbard’s involvement in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) seizure of election ballots and voting records in Fulton County, Georgia, Gabbard assured that she “did not participate in a law enforcement activity nor would I, because that does not exist within my authorities.”
"I was at Fulton County, Sir, at the request of the president and to work with the FBI to observe this action that had long been awaited. I was not aware of what was in the warrant or was not in the warrant, and to say thank you to the FBI agents,” Gabbard said.
Gabbard Omits Certain Information During the Hearing
Throughout the testimony, Gabbard avoided questions during the public portion of the Senate hearing regarding reports about Russian intelligence being shared with Iran.
"If there is that sharing going on, that would be an answer that would be appropriate for a closed session," Gabbard stated.
Sen. Warner called out Gabbard for omitting portions of her prepared statement for the hearing during her opening remarks, referencing that Gabbard’s printed testimony elaborated on the U.S.’s “Operation Midnight Hammer,” which aimed to destroy Iran’s nuclear enrichment program.
"No, Sir, I recognize that the time was running long, and I skipped through some of the portion," Gabbard answered.
“You chose to omit the parts that can contradict the president," Warner replied, recognizing the President’s statements two weeks prior about an imminent threat posed by the Islamic Republic.
