JUST IN: Tulsi Gabbard Confirmed as DNI — Mitch McConnell Breaks Ranks as Only Republican ‘No’ Vote

The Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence in a 52-46 vote on Thursday—but not without Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) sending a signal to President Donald Trump as the lone Republican “no” vote.

In a near-party-line vote, every Republican senator except McConnell backed Gabbard, while all 47 Democrats opposed her nomination. The confirmation underscores the GOP’s alignment with Trump’s efforts to reshape the intelligence apparatus that frequently clashed with him during his first presidency.

Gabbard’s journey from former Democratic congresswoman to Trump loyalist has been marked by controversy. Her endorsement of Trump during the 2024 election solidified her break from the Democratic Party, and her outspoken critiques of U.S. foreign policy have kept her in the spotlight.

During her confirmation hearing Republicans grilled her over past opposition to Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, a critical tool for intelligence gathering on foreign nationals. Bipartisan concerns also surfaced regarding her call for Trump to pardon NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. Gabbard repeatedly sidestepped questions about whether Snowden, who leaked classified information before fleeing to Russia, was a traitor.

Gabbard also was forced to defend her 2017 trip to Syria, where she met with then-President Bashar al-Assad, and her criticism of U.S. support for Ukraine.

Despite the turbulence, key Republican skeptics like Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Todd Young (R-IN) eventually threw their support behind Gabbard, ensuring unanimous GOP backing on the Intelligence Committee. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also announced her support ahead of the final vote.

Watch above via CNN.