WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has privately asked members of his Cabinet and close advisers about the possibility of replacing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, according to multiple reports, though no final decision has been made.
The internal discussions — which have not been publicly confirmed by the White House — signal growing tension between Trump and one of his most high-profile national security appointees.
Internal polling raises questions about Gabbard’s future
In recent weeks, Trump has quietly canvassed advisers about Gabbard’s performance, exploring whether she should remain in her role as the nation’s top intelligence official.
The outreach is being viewed inside Washington as an early step often taken before major personnel changes, though sources emphasize that no immediate move has been finalized.
Publicly, Trump and administration officials have continued to project confidence in Gabbard, underscoring the gap between internal deliberations and outward messaging. (RELATED: Trump ‘Incensed’ Over Gabbard’s Unauthorized Hiroshima Video: Report)
Iran policy tensions at the center
Much of the friction appears tied to disagreements over foreign policy — particularly Iran.
Gabbard, a former congresswoman known for her anti-interventionist views, has reportedly clashed with Trump’s more aggressive posture on military action.
The situation escalated after the resignation of Joe Kent, a senior counterterrorism official who questioned the rationale behind U.S. military operations. Gabbard’s refusal to sharply criticize Kent during congressional testimony reportedly frustrated Trump.
That episode has become a focal point in the broader debate over her leadership. (RELATED: Hegseth Invokes Faith In War – A Tradition With Deep Roots)
Mediaite’s Alex Griffing reported that the story was first broken by The Guardian’s Hugo Lowell on Thursday morning:
Lowell’s report noted that Trump has, in particular, been “venting frustration that she shielded a former deputy who undercut his rationale for war with Iran, according to two people briefed on the discussions.”
Lowell was referring to counterterrorism chief Joe Kent’s scathing resignation in protest of the Iran war. Kent and Gabbard were both leading non-interventionist figures in Trump’s administration.
The report also noted that Trump was not happy with Gabbard’s recent Congressional testimony, in which she refused to give her personal take on the legality of the war in Iran. Lowell wrote:
Gabbard’s testimony that frustrated Trump, for instance, was in line with her longstanding criticism of the US becoming entangled in foreign wars, as well as her previous statements to Congress in 2019 that she believed the president could not legally order pre-emptive attacks.
Lowell suggested there remains uncertainty over how Trump will ultimately respond to the situation.
“It is not clear that Trump will actually fire Gabbard over the episode,” he wrote, noting practical considerations. “Currently, there is no standout candidate to take the job, and advisers have cautioned that creating a high-profile vacancy before a successor is ready could cause unhelpful political distractions.”
A pattern of behind-the-scenes friction
The latest reports build on months of underlying tension.
Gabbard — who was appointed DNI in 2025 and oversees the U.S. intelligence community — has at times found herself navigating competing expectations inside the administration.
While she has supported key administration policies, she has also taken positions that diverge from Trump’s messaging, particularly on military engagement and intelligence assessments.
In addition, past controversies — including disputes over intelligence handling and coordination with the White House — have added to internal concerns about her tenure. (RELATED: 100 Intelligence Specialists Fired Over Sexually Deviant Online Chats)
No clear replacement — and no final decision
Despite the internal discussions, no successor has emerged as a clear front-runner, and advisers are reportedly divided on whether a change would be beneficial at this stage.
Some have urged caution, noting the potential disruption of another high-level shakeup amid ongoing foreign policy challenges.
For now, Gabbard remains in her position, and officials continue to publicly affirm that she retains the president’s confidence.
Still, the behind-the-scenes conversations suggest her standing inside the administration may be increasingly uncertain — even as no formal action has been taken.
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