Intel Chief Tulsi Gabbard's Ties with Trump Sour as US Considers Iran Options

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is one of the few officials in Trump's administration to oppose the state's involvement in the conflict between Iran and Israel. In early June 2025, Gabbard uploaded a three-minute video on X, formerly Twitter. She cautioned that political elites and "warmongers" are recklessly "fermenting fear and tensions" between nuclear-armed countries, putting the world on the brink of "nuclear annihilation."

The unauthorized video, uploaded at 5:30 a.m. on June 10, angered Donald Trump, who complained to colleagues at the White House that Gabbard had spoken out of turn, as reported by Politico.

Trump-Gabbard Relationship Tense

Gabbard released the warning video at a sensitive time when Israeli officials were lobbying Trump at the White House to back an Israeli attack on Iran. Trump and his allies interpreted Gabbard's message as a warning to Trump not to greenlight Israel's actions. Trump even expressed his displeasure directly to Gabbard.

Despite Trump not hating on Gabbard on a personal level, the video strained their relationship, as he dislikes people being "off message."

This tension became more apparent when Trump rejected Gabbard's testimony in Congress in March that Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons, stating on Air Force One, "I don't care what she said," and asserting that Iran is close to possessing nuclear weapons.

Trump's attitude towards Gabbard has significantly changed since he once praised her support during the campaign and appointed her to his Cabinet to show ideological diversity within the MAGA coalition.

In March, Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii who switched party affiliations in 2022, testified before Congress that Iran had weapon-grade uranium in unprecedented quantities but appeared not to be actively developing nuclear weapons. In response, Trump told reporters on Tuesday, "I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having a weapon."

Gabbard's Stance on Iran-Israel Conflict

Many government officials viewed the video as a challenge to the official stance. This incident highlighted the growing gap between Trump, who tends to be more involved in the Iran-Israel conflict, and Gabbard, an anti-interventionist who consistently opposes new US foreign wars.

Gabbard personally traveled to Hiroshima. She visited the site of the atomic bomb blast, emphasizing her strong warning about nuclear weapons that could vaporize cities. This trip was seen as a reaffirmation of her anti-war stance. Her views align with many MAGA leaders who are concerned that US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict could escalate into a broader war.

Despite the friction, Gabbard maintained that she and Trump share the same view on Iran and that she supports Trump's policy without letting her personal opinion interfere. She remained actively involved in high-level discussions, including meetings in the White House's Situation Room, and has been directed by Trump to maintain communication with Israeli and Gulf counterparts.

Gabbard's critics, including former Trump national security adviser John Bolton, argue that she should be removed from her position, citing doubts about her leadership in intelligence amid tensions in the Middle East.

The split has sparked wide-ranging discussions among lawmakers and commentators, with some questioning her influence and role in major strategic meetings.

JD Vance Defends Her

Nevertheless, defenders of Gabbard highlighted her military service and consistent anti-war stance, emphasizing her focus on avoiding unwinnable conflicts.

Vice President Vance defended Gabbard on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in response to criticism of her previous statements on Iran, as the government considers the US role in the Tehran conflict with Israel.

In a statement obtained from NewsNation, Vance described Gabbard as "a veteran, a patriot, a loyal supporter of President Trump, and a critical part of the coalition he built in 2024."

Tulsi Gabbard's Views Seen as Controversial

Since her appointment, doubts have arisen among Trump supporters regarding Gabbard's controversial views on several issues, including Iran, Russia, and Syria.

Gabbard is seen as sympathetic to Russia in its war against Ukraine. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, has stirred controversy with her criticism of Joe Biden's support for Ukraine, prompting critics to accuse her of following Kremlin propaganda.

She also opposed US military intervention in the Syrian civil war under the Obama administration and met with Moscow-backed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017, whose entire relationship was severed by Washington in 2012. "Let the Syrian people themselves determine their future, not the United States, not some foreign country," she told CNN.

Regarding Iran, Gabbard criticized decisions made by the Trump administration. In 2020, she stated that the Trump administration did not provide "any justification" in directing US intelligence on the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force. He was killed in 2020 in a US airstrike outside Baghdad International Airport.

Gabbard's appointment has raised concerns among intelligence officials who are unsure about how strongly she holds her geopolitical views, whether she will be misinformed, or merely echoing the followers of Trump's 'Make America Great Again' movement, said an intelligence official, on conditions of anonymity.

Editor’s Choice: US Deploys Fighter Jets to Middle East as Israel-Iran Tensions Escalate

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News