Former Democratic congresswoman-turned-Republican Tulsi Gabbard should be quickly confirmed as the country’s next director of National Intelligence, a top law enforcement organization says. In a letter to Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Kieran Donahue, president of the National Sheriff’s Association and a sheriff from Idaho, urged the Senate to “expeditiously” confirm Tulsi Gabbard. He emphasized that her confirmation was essential for building greater trust between local law enforcement and the intelligence community. The association represents over 3,000 sheriffs nationwide.
“Ms. Gabbard has demonstrated a commitment to addressing the critical disconnect between our intelligence agencies and local law enforcement in preparing for sophisticated and pervasive threats,” Donahue wrote to Cotton, who heads up the Select Committee on Intelligence. He wrote that the importance of cooperation was evident when sheriffs in Texas and Georgia played a key role in the investigation of the New Orleans terror attack, which resulted in 14 deaths.
“The recent terror attack on New Orleans serves as a stark reminder of the need for seamless coordination. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, actionable leads provided by Sheriffs in Harris County, Texas, and Fulton County, Georgia, proved instrumental,” Donahue said. “These events, like the attacks of 9/11, underscore the urgent need for local law enforcement to have a seat at the table during strategic planning discussions. Ms. Gabbard has pledged to make this a priority.”
The Idaho sheriff also said Gabbard’s previous government experience and leadership in the U.S. Army Reserve made “her uniquely qualified for this critical role. Her proven ability to lead and her deep understanding of national security threats have earned the confidence and respect of Sheriffs across the country.” Hearings for several of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees will begin this week, starting with Pete Hegseth’s appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday morning. Tulsi Gabbard’s hearing has not yet been scheduled but may take place sometime next week.
Gabbard told CBS News on Monday that she is “focused on continuing to meet with senators as we continue to go through this process” and working “closely” with Cotton to get a hearing scheduled. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), the Senate majority whip, told CBS that he expected GOP support. “She continues to have promotions in the military. She’s a lieutenant colonel. She now has top-level security clearances,” Barrasso said. “She’s the right person to keep America secure and safe.”
