Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, announced a serious investigation into threats against Donald Trump while firing top intelligence officials who opposed the President’s policies.
At a Glance
- DNI Tulsi Gabbard fired two highest-ranking National Intelligence Council officials who had contradicted Trump’s policy justifications
- Secret Service Director Sean Curran is leading an investigation into serious threats against President Trump
- The firings followed an NIC assessment that challenged Trump’s rationale for using the Alien Enemies Act against Venezuelan immigrants
- Gabbard is consolidating intelligence operations and taking direct control of the president’s daily intelligence brief
- Concerns have been raised about politicization of intelligence agencies as Gabbard reshapes the community
Intelligence Leadership Shake-Up
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has fired the two highest-ranking officials at the National Intelligence Council (NIC) in a significant shake-up of America’s intelligence leadership. Mike Collins, the Acting Chair of the NIC, and his Deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof, were both dismissed despite each having over 25 years of intelligence experience.
Collins was recognized as an expert on East Asia, while Langan-Riekhof specialized in Middle East affairs. The firings occurred just weeks after the NIC released an assessment contradicting President Trump’s justification for invoking the Alien Enemies Act against Venezuelan immigrants.
The NIC’s declassified memo had found no evidence of coordination between Venezuela’s government and the Tren de Aragua gang, directly challenging the Trump administration’s deportation rationale. This contradiction appears to have triggered the leadership change, with Gabbard’s office stating: “The Director is working alongside President Trump to end the weaponization and politicization of the intelligence community.” The NIC plays a crucial role in synthesizing intelligence for the White House and national security officials.
🚨🇺🇸 DNI GABBARD: WE’RE TAKING THREATS TO TRUMP SERIOUSLY—SECRET SERVICE DIRECTOR CURRAN IS LEADING THE INVESTIGATION
“We’re taking this very seriously.
Secret Service director Sean Curran is leading the investigation.
A Rutgers study found over 55% of respondents felt… https://t.co/mQZUuY2eWl pic.twitter.com/gG0oZVd3Kr
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 16, 2025
Serious Threats Against Trump
Simultaneously, DNI Gabbard has announced that threats against former President Trump are being taken with the utmost seriousness. Secret Service Director Sean Curran is personally leading the investigation into these threats, signaling the high-level concern within the intelligence community. “We’re taking this very seriously,” Gabbard stated firmly, addressing growing concerns about the former president’s safety. The nature of these threats has not been fully disclosed to the public, but their severity has prompted immediate action from intelligence and security agencies.
A recent study by Rutgers University indicated that over 55% of respondents recognized the severity of threats against high-profile political figures, highlighting public awareness of the situation. The investigation involves coordination between multiple intelligence agencies, with DNI Gabbard taking a personal interest in ensuring that all threats are thoroughly examined and appropriate protective measures are implemented. This response demonstrates the intelligence community’s commitment to protecting current and former government officials regardless of political affiliation.
🚨🇺🇸 DNI TULSI GABBARD: COMEY’S ‘86’ SLUR WAS A VEILED CALL FOR VIOLENCE—THE DANGER CAN’T BE UNDERESTIMATED
“That is a ridiculous and insane statement… especially from a former FBI director.
Comey knew the ‘86-47’ slogan was a veiled call to murder the sitting president.… https://t.co/hcJ63nb9HG pic.twitter.com/5qKt2z4miD
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 16, 2025
Intelligence Community Restructuring
Beyond the immediate security concerns, Gabbard is implementing sweeping changes across the intelligence community. She oversees 18 federal intelligence agencies and is reshaping operations by eliminating diversity programs and creating a cost-cutting taskforce. In a significant structural change, Gabbard is consolidating intelligence operations by moving some offices from the CIA directly to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), giving her more control over the President’s daily intelligence brief.
“Absent evidence to justify the firings, the workforce can only conclude that their jobs are contingent on producing analysis that is aligned with the President’s political agenda, rather than truthful and apolitical,” said US Congressman Jim Himes.
Critics have expressed concern about these changes. US Congressman Jim Himes questioned the lack of justification for the recent dismissals, suggesting they could send a message that intelligence analysis must align with political objectives rather than remain truthful and apolitical. Gabbard has vowed to investigate intelligence leaks and end what she describes as the misuse of intelligence for political purposes, positioning her efforts as necessary reforms to restore public trust in these critical institutions.