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EXCLUSIVE: In a significant shakeup within the intelligence community, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has terminated several top officials at the National Intelligence Council. These dismissals come amid accusations that these officials harbor a strong anti-Trump bias and contribute to the politicization of intelligence. Gabbard has now reassigned the council to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to better oversee integrity in intelligence operations.
On Tuesday, Gabbard dismissed acting chair Mike Collins and deputy Maria Langan-Riekhof as part of her commitment to reform within the agency. Senior intelligence officials confirmed the firings to Fox News Digital.
Collins faces serious allegations, including whistleblower complaints that highlight his political bias and efforts to undermine the incoming Trump administration. His association with former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morrell, known for propagating theories regarding the Hunter Biden laptop being part of a Russian disinformation strategy, further complicates matters. Such connections raise concerns about the objectivity of intelligence assessments under his leadership.
Conversely, Langan-Riekhof has been criticized for her strong advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which whistleblowers claim align with an anti-Trump stance.
In relocating the National Intelligence Council, Gabbard aims to ensure that any improper actions and the politicization of intelligence are directly accountable. Senior officials report that many of the individuals leaking classified information within the intelligence community are entrenched career bureaucrats who have long been part of Washington’s political landscape. One official remarked that it will take considerable time to identify and remove these individuals.
Additionally, Gabbard’s administration is planning to consolidate certain non-essential offices within ODNI that have previously housed these so-called deep state leakers.
A CIA representative asserted that the National Intelligence Council has traditionally been a component of the DNI and emphasized that its current physical relocation to the DNI aligns with operational efficiency.
The recent changes coincide with Gabbard’s ongoing efforts to purge the intelligence community of leakers and those accused of undermining President Trump’s policies. Authorities within the agency are positioning these moves as necessary steps to restore trust and transparency.
So far, Gabbard has referred three intelligence officers to the Department of Justice for prosecution related to alleged leaks of classified information to major news outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times. Her earlier statements underscored her commitment to national security, describing the leaking of classified information as a dangerous act that could jeopardize the country’s safety.
A senior intelligence official revealed that investigations are currently ongoing regarding approximately 12 additional officials within the intelligence community for similar allegations of leaking classified information. Notably, in early May, ODNI terminated two bureaucrats identified as CIA detailees, after they leaked sensitive details regarding violent gang assessments.
In April, Gabbard announced the formation of a task force dedicated to restoring accountability and transparency within the intelligence community, aptly titled the Director’s Initiative Group (DIG). This task force has begun its mission by investigating issues related to the potential weaponization of intelligence resources.
Officials have indicated that this group will concentrate on identifying and exposing instances of politicization as well as unauthorized disclosures of classified materials. Additionally, part of their mandate includes the declassification of information deemed to serve the public interest.
Gabbard’s aggressive stance extends beyond just addressing leaks. She is also holding accountable NSA employees who participated in inappropriate communications within agency chatrooms, signaling a broader commitment to ethical conduct in intelligence operations.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing delays in the confirmation process for vital intelligence nominees who are deemed essential for advancing the Trump administration’s objectives. Currently, several key positions remain unfilled within the ODNI, including those for the principal deputy director of national intelligence and other significant entities like the National Counterterrorism Center.
As Gabbard continues her mission to reform the intelligence community, observers will undoubtedly keep a close watch on how these sweeping changes impact the agency’s operations and the overall integrity of its intelligence analyses.
While the dismissal of officials may raise questions about partisanship within the intelligence realm, Gabbard remains steadfast in her strategy to combat politicization and uphold national security standards. The implications of her decisions will likely resonate well beyond the current administration, potentially reshaping the landscape of American intelligence for years to come.
