Sparking Internal Fallout…
President Donald Trump reportedly expressed sharp disapproval after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released an unsanctioned video from Hiroshima on June 10. In the video, Gabbard accused “political elites” and “warmongers” of steering the world dangerously close to nuclear war — a message the president viewed as off-script and politically unhelpful.
Criticism of Establishment Draws Heat
Gabbard’s remarks included a call for citizens to push back against rising global tensions. She implied that those in power downplay the risks of escalation because they themselves are shielded by nuclear bunkers. The pointed criticism, made from the site of the 1945 atomic bombing, was not cleared in advance and caught White House officials off guard.
Displeasure Inside the West Wing
According to reporting from Politico, Trump viewed the video as a breach of discipline. He was “incensed,” sources said, and believed the statement was out of step with the administration’s current messaging — highlighting what appears to be a growing divide within his inner circle:
At 5:30 a.m. on June 10, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard tweeted a cryptic, three-minute video warning that “political elite and warmongers” are “carelessly fomenting fear and tensions between nuclear powers” — and that the world is “on the brink of nuclear annihilation.”
Trump saw the unauthorized video and became incensed, complaining to associates at the White House that she had spoken out of turn, according to three people familiar with the episode — two of them inside the administration and all granted anonymity to describe sensitive dynamics.
Her post came a few days after Israel hawks met with Trump at the White House to lobby him to support Israel’s attacks on Iran. In the eyes of Trump and some close to him, Gabbard was warning him not to greenlight Israel attacking Iran. Trump even expressed his disapproval to her personally, the three people said.
Fault Lines Over Iran and Israel Strategy
This latest drama unfolds as the Trump administration weighs a more aggressive posture toward Iran and steps up support for Israel’s national interests. While Gabbard has endorsed Trump’s view of Iran as a threat, her anti-interventionist stance has increasingly put her at odds with the more hawkish voices on the national security team. As Mediaite notes, her influence appears to have waned following Israel’s success in Operation Rising Lion:
Trump has publicly backed Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and its assassinations of military leaders and nuclear scientists, even after he reportedly urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to do so. The president was apparently so impressed with the operation, he supported the strikes, which upended nuclear negotiations between his Middle East envoy and Iranian officials. Iran has now abandoned those talks. Netanyahu has claimed for decades that Iran is on the verge of developing nuclear weapons, which Israel has but has never acknowledged.
Influence Reportedly in Decline
Though Gabbard insists she’s aligned with Trump, internal speculation suggests her influence is fading. Her access to key meetings has been curtailed — she was notably excluded from a June 8 Camp David session — and some advisers are reportedly weighing whether to dissolve or reassign her role.
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“according to three people familiar with the episode — two of them inside the administration and all granted anonymity to describe sensitive dynamics.”
The two individuals “inside the administration” should be identified and immediately dismissed. “Granting anonymity” does not release anyone to speak, whether they claim to be “close” or fourth hand to any occurrence of interest. In my entire working career, I was NEVER authorized to comment or provide information concerning any internal company business, no matter how directly I was involved.
That being said, Gabbard’s unsanctioned video release was likely inappropriate for release on her own at this particular time. As Director of NI, she should know her speech can have significant (political) weight. Importantly though, what she saw at Hiroshima was that which could occur if Iran is successful in producing even a single nuclear bomb. That is what makes the timing and context of such a release an diplomatic act requiring authorization to proceed.
I can see Trump being perturbed about this and I can see this passing quickly. Tulsi has a right to her opinion and so does Trump. The new will try to use this to undercut Trumps administration, but it will backfire on them.
Undecided — I support Israel but worry about U.S. involvement??? ……….28%……seriously?
Bury your head in the sand and choke!