Johannesburg, South Africa - Donald Trump's inner circle is reportedly seething after Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard allegedly blindsided them by publicly revoking the security clearances of 37 current and former officials. The move has sparked outrage and accusations of going “totally rogue.”
What Happened?
According to reports, Gabbard, the 44-year-old DNI, didn't inform the White House about her office's decision to rescind the clearances before it happened last month. This lack of communication left Trump's aides scrambling and deeply frustrated.
The Guardian reported that on August 19th, Gabbard posted on X (formerly Twitter) stating she was acting under Trump's direction. She wrote, “Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right. Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust they promised to uphold.”
Why the Fury?
Trump aides claim that Gabbard's deputy chief of staff, Alexa Henning, didn't disclose the compilation process or the underlying evidence before the public announcement. Officials only realized after the fact that Gabbard had stripped security clearances from deputies to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
Adding fuel to the fire, the list included two Democratic congressional staffers, raising concerns about separation-of-powers issues. Furthermore, the DNI's office reportedly sent the list to the CIA the night before making it public, allegedly exposing at least one undercover officer.
The Fallout
The situation has reportedly deepened existing animosity between Gabbard and Trump's advisors. Some view the episode as a significant blunder, especially considering Trump's skepticism towards the intelligence community and past suggestions of dismantling the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).
- Lack of White House notification
- Public announcement before vetting
- Potential exposure of an undercover officer
The controversy surrounding Gabbard's actions is likely to continue unfolding as more details emerge.