‘Refusal To Be Anyone’s Puppet’: Tulsi Gabbard To Tackle ‘Weaponization’ Of Intel Community In Opening Statement

President Donald Trump’s nominee for director of National Intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, will target the weaponization of the intelligence community (IC) during her confirmation hearing Thursday morning, according to an opening statement obtained by the Daily Caller.

“President Trump’s reelection is a clear mandate from the American people to break this cycle of failure, end the weaponization and politicization of the IC, and begin to restore trust in those who have been charged with the critical task of securing our nation,” Gabbard’s statement reads.

“If confirmed as DNI,” Gabbard continued, “I will fulfill this mandate and bring leadership to the intelligence community with a laser-like focus on our essential mission: ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people.” (RELATED: ‘It’s A Big Deal’ — John Ratcliffe For CIA Director Could Be One Of Trump’s Most Important Picks)

🚨 TODAY: Tulsi Gabbard (Dir. of National Intelligence) and Kash Patel (FBI Director) have their CONFIRMATION hearings.

RFK Jr. will also have another hearing. pic.twitter.com/eMfwnqMKlY

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 30, 2025

The IC has experienced failures in intelligence collection, most notably demonstrated by the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal that resulted in the deaths of 13 Americans. Former national security officials previously told the Caller that there is a need for quality intelligence collection and that failure to gather intelligence in Afghanistan led to the deaths of Americans.

“I’ve been a consumer of intelligence as a member of Congress and a member of our armed sources for over two decades,” Gabbard’s statement noted, emphasizing the need for “accurate, unbiased and timely intelligence.”

Trust in certain intelligence agencies has decreased among Americans, particularly conservatives. From targeting Trump to school board parents and pro-life activists, the reputation of the IC has suffered. Christian pro-life activists, including Paul Vaughn, who was pardoned by Trump, had their homes raided by FBI agents.

Gabbard touched on opposition to her nomination in her statement. (RELATED: Trump Admin Ousts Left-Wing Biden Appointee Stacey Dixon From Key Intel Position Ahead Of Gabbard Hearings)

“The truth is: what really upsets my political opponents is my consistent record of independence, regardless of political affiliation, and my refusal to be anyone’s puppet,” her statement reads.

Watch @ScottJenningsKY easily dismantle Democrats hypocrisy on @TulsiGabbard pic.twitter.com/UTHIAnbNB1

— Alexa Henning (@alexahenning) January 27, 2025

“You know who else is committed to defending our country and reforming Washington with a fierce and unparalleled independence, President Donald J. Trump who ran and won with a mandate for change this November.”

Trump is no stranger to weaponization of the IC and he recently ordered the declassification of the JFK, RFK and MLK files.

“My life is a testament of the truth of my loyalty to God, country and the Constitution. If confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, I will continue to live by the oath I have sworn at least eight times in my life both in uniform and as a civilian: to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, and I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same,” Gabbard concluded.