Western South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune addressed the Senate floor, advocating for Tulsi Gabbard's nomination as Director of National Intelligence under President Trump's administration. Thune emphasized Gabbard's dedication to service, tracing her career from the Hawaii state legislature to her military service in the Army National Guard, including deployments to Iraq.

Thune highlighted Gabbard's experience in Congress and her roles on various committees such as Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, and Armed Services. He stated, "By her own count, she’s taken an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States at least eight times."

Addressing recent intelligence failures, Thune underscored the need for a refocused intelligence community. He remarked that Gabbard is committed to ensuring unbiased analysis and effective information collection if confirmed.

Thune also praised Gabbard's intention to streamline the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), noting it had become larger than intended since its creation post-9/11. "I am glad that Ms. Gabbard plans to focus on identifying and eliminating redundancies and inefficiencies," he said.

Gabbard has expressed support for Section 702 of foreign intelligence collection programs as "essential for our national security." Additionally, she aims to prosecute leakers fully under the law to protect classified information.

In conclusion, Thune quoted those who served with Gabbard during her military tenure: "'Her exceptional qualifications...render her the unequivocal choice for this critical position.'" Another noted confidence in her commitment "to protecting ALL Americans during this pivotal moment in American history."

The Senate will consider confirming Tulsi Gabbard later this week.