Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins announced on Monday that she would support President Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard after her vote was listed as anything but secure following Gabbard’s often tense confirmation hearings last week.
“After extensive consideration of her nomination, I will support Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence,” she said in a statement. “As one of the principal authors of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that established this coordinating position, I understand the critical role the DNI plays in the Intelligence community.”
Collins noted that she shared an area of agreement with Gabbard. “The Office of the Director of National Intelligence, however, has become far larger than it was designed to be, and Ms. Gabbard shares my vision of returning the agency to its intended size,” Collins noted further in a statement. “In response to my questions during our discussion in my office and at the open hearing, as well as through her explanation at the closed hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, Ms. Gabbard addressed my concerns regarding her views on Edward Snowden. I took forward to working with Ms. Gabbard to strengthen our national security.”
Collins is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which will vote on Gabbard’s confirmation. She previously voted against Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and was seen as a key swing vote for Gabbard. The senator had earlier raised concerns about Gabbard’s stance on Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance (FISA) Act, a provision Gabbard had opposed in the past. Reports on Tuesday, however, indicated that Gabbard would very likely be confirmed by the full Senate later in the day.
During the hearing, Gabbard was questioned about her previous remarks calling whistleblowers “brave,” and she declined to label National Security Agency (NSA) contractor Edward Snowden as a traitor. “After extensive consideration, conversations with her in my office, attending the hearing and questioning her there, and listening to her in the closed session, I decided to vote — that I will vote for her,” Collins told reporters. “She is committed to strengthening our national security,” she added. The moderate from Maine also said she was “satisfied” with Gabbard’s answers about Snowden.
Oklahoma Republican Senator James Lankford has also stated that he will vote for Gabbard, according to CNN. Lankford, who serves on the committee, questioned Gabbard about Edward Snowden during her confirmation hearing.
GOP Sen. James Lankford tells us he’s a YES on Tulsi Gabbard and spoke to her over the weekend. With Susan Collins backing her now too, it could come down to Sen. Todd Young on whether she has the votes to be approved by Senate Intel tomorrow
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 3, 2025
