Will Tulsi Gabbard Be Fired? Donald Trump Asks Cabinet Advisers

Last Updated:April 03, 2026, 03:57 IST

Trump was reportedly displeased that Gabbard did not strongly criticise Kent during a congressional hearing and appeared cautious in defending the administration’s stance.

US President Donald Trump has privately discussed has privately asked senior cabinet officials whether he should replace Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, The Guardian reported citing officials familiar with the matter.

Trump has reportedly expressed frustration over Gabbard’s handling of a dispute linked to US policy on Iran. As per the report, the US President felt that she had shielded a former deputy whose remarks weakened his case for military action.

At the centre of the issue is former official Joe Kent, who resigned after arguing that Iran did not pose an immediate threat to the United States. Trump was reportedly displeased that Gabbard did not strongly criticise Kent during a congressional hearing and appeared cautious in defending the administration’s stance on military action.

Despite these concerns, Trump has not taken a final decision. Earlier, when asked about her future, Trump gave a mixed response, according to The Guardian report. He said, “Yeah, sure," when asked if he still had confidence in her, adding, “she’s a little bit different in her thought process than me, but that doesn’t make somebody not available to serve."

The White House has publicly backed Gabbard. Spokesperson Steven Cheung said Trump has confidence in her work. He said that the administration has “assembled the most talented and impactful cabinet ever" and praised its achievements.

“As President Trump just said in his remarks, he has confidence in Director Gabbard and the tireless work she is doing. He has assembled the most talented and impactful cabinet ever, and they have collectively delivered historic victories on behalf of the American people," Cheung said.

Gabbard, a former congresswoman, has faced challenges in her role overseeing US intelligence agencies. Officials say she has sometimes struggled to align her long-held scepticism of foreign military interventions with the administration’s more aggressive approach.

Her past statements questioning US involvement in overseas conflicts and cautioning against pre-emptive strikes have occasionally put her at odds with Trump. He had earlier publicly contradicted her assessment that Iran was not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon.

She has also faced criticism over internal decisions, including revoking security clearances for dozens of individuals without full internal coordination, which led to tensions within the administration.

Still, Gabbard has retained support in some quarters, and her spokesperson Olivia Coleman said she remains committed to her responsibilities.

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