TULSI GABBARD, former Democratic congresswoman and president Donald Trump's nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI), has been approved by a key Senate committee in a private vote, moving her nomination forward to a full Senate vote.
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led by Republicans, voted 9-8 along party lines to advance Gabbard’s nomination. A full Senate vote on her confirmation is expected as early as next week, according to the Washington Post.
Gabbard, 43, has faced bipartisan concerns over her suitability for the role overseeing US intelligence agencies.
“The Intelligence Committee just voted for Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination to be the Director of National Intelligence favourably to the full United States Senate,” Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton told reporters after the closed-door vote on Tuesday. “We look forward to her confirmation and working with her to keep America safe,” he was quoted as saying by The Hill.
The committee vote came hours after Senator Todd Young, a key Republican swing vote, announced his support for Gabbard. On Monday, Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) also confirmed her support ahead of the committee decision.
Gabbard, a four-term congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate, has served in the military with three deployments to the Middle East and Africa. She was previously a Democrat but moved to the Republican Party.
In October 2022, she announced her departure from the Democratic Party and became an Independent.
On August 26, 2024, she endorsed Trump’s re-election bid and later joined his transition team as co-chair. She officially became a Republican on October 22, 2024, citing Trump’s leadership and his transformation of the party.
Her nomination has drawn scrutiny over past statements and meetings. In 2017, she met with then-Syrian President Bashar al-Assad while he faced accusations of using chemical weapons.
Her views on Russia and past comments on the war in Ukraine have also been debated, with some critics suggesting they were in line with Russian state media narratives.
Under US law, Cabinet-level positions and other senior administration roles require Senate confirmation. The process begins with a hearing by the relevant Senate committee.
The exercise saw half a dozen F-35Bs from the Royal Navy facing off against a dozen Indian Air Force jets, including eight Su-30s and four Jaguars supported by an Il-78 AWACS aircraft. (Photo: X/@RoyalNavy)
BRITISH and Indian pilots carried out joint air exercises over the Arabian Sea as the UK Carrier Strike Group completed its visit to India.
The group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, ended its stay after a week in Goa and Mumbai with Exercise Konkan, the regular naval drill between the two countries.
The exercise saw half a dozen F-35Bs from the Royal Navy facing off against a dozen Indian Air Force jets, including eight Su-30s and four Jaguars supported by an Il-78 AWACS aircraft.
The mock air battles tested the pilots’ individual skills, weapons systems, sensors, and tactics against aircraft not usually encountered.
The Carrier Air Wing also operated alongside the Indian Navy’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, gaining experience on joint carrier operations.
Commodore Blackmore, COMCSG, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to work alongside our colleagues in the Indian Navy and Air Force during Exercise Konkan. The professionalism and camaraderie we’ve shared are a testament to the enduring strength of our partnership. Our time in Mumbai and Goa has been truly memorable – both vibrant and welcoming, rich in history, tradition and culture.”
Lieutenant Daniel Randel, a staff officer aboard HMS Prince of Wales, said: “Konkan has been a great opportunity to see how the Indian Armed Forces work. Working with both their Navy and Air Force has been a unique experience in my career so far.”
During the visit, HMS Richmond docked in Mumbai, hosting industry and cultural events and a football match with the Indian Navy that ended 1–1.
Lieutenant Commander Andy Hunt said: “Our port visit to Mumbai was extremely enjoyable. We were very well looked after by our Indian Navy hosts, it was especially rewarding to spend time with them ashore having recently operated with them at sea during Exercise Konkan.”
Leading Engineering Technician Nathan Knight added: “Visiting Mumbai has been a real highlight of the deployment for me. The culture and food in the city was fantastic and the football match against the Indian Navy was great fun.”
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