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Confirmation process for Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence

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Trump Administration
(second term)
Donald Trump • J.D. Vance
Administration: Donald Trump's Cabinet • Confirmation process for Cabinet nominees • Confirmation votes by senator • Executive orders and actions • Key legislation • Vetoes • White House staff • Ambassadors • Special envoys • Multistate lawsuits • Supreme Court emergency orders
Transition: Transition • What happens during a presidential transition? • Certification of electoral votes • 2024 presidential election
First term: Transition • Confirmation process for Cabinet nominees • Cabinet • Administration

President-elect Donald Trump (R) announced former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as his nominee for director of national intelligence on November 13, 2024.

The Senate Intelligence Committee held a confirmation hearing for Gabbard on January 30, 2025.[1] The Senate voted 52-48 to confirm Gabbard on February 12, 2025.[2] Click here to read more about the confirmation process.

Trump said of Gabbard's nomination, "For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans. As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties - She is now a proud Republican! I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength."[3]

Confirmation process

See also: Confirmation process for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, 2025

Confirmation vote roll call

See also: How senators voted on Trump Cabinet nominees, 2025

The Senate voted 52-48 to confirm Gabbard on February 12, 2025.[4]

Summary of Senate vote on Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for director of national intelligence (February 12, 2025)
Party Votes for Votes against Not voting
Democratic Party Democrats 0 45 0
Republican Party Republicans 52 1 0
Grey.png Independents 0 2 0
Totals 52 48 0


Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was the only Republican to vote against her nomination.



Senate confirmation hearing

The Senate Intelligence Committee held a confirmation hearing for Gabbard on January 30, 2025.

Tulsi Gabbard's Senate confirmation hearing, January 30, 2025

Financial disclosures

The Office of Government Ethics released Gabbard's financial disclosures in January 2025. Click here to review them.

About the nominee

Gabbard was born in 1981 and grew up in Hawaii. In 2002, when she won election to the state House of Representatives at the age of 21, she was the youngest person elected to public office in the state's history. She served in the House until 2004.[5]

Gabbard was a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard from 2003 to 2020. In 2020, she transitioned to an Amy Reserve unit based in California.[6] She has been deployed on two tours of duty in the Middle East. Starting in 2005, she served as a field medical unit specialist in Iraq. During her second tour, she led security missions and helped train the Kuwait National Guard. Between the two tours, Gabbard graduated from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy and received a B.S. in business administration from Hawaii Pacific University. She also worked as a legislative aide to Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii).[5][7]

Gabbard was elected to the Honolulu City Council in 2010. She served on the council until 2012, when she ran for and won a seat in the U.S. House.[8][5]

In 2013, Gabbard was elected vice chair of the Democratic National Committee.[9] She resigned in February 2016 to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary.[10] Below is an abbreviated outline of Gabbard's academic, professional, and political career:[11]

  • 2025-present: Director of national intelligence
  • 2020-present: U.S. Army Reserve
  • 2013-2021 U.S. Representative from Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District
  • 2003-2020: Hawaii Army National Guard
  • 2010-2012: Honolulu City Council
  • 2009: Graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a bachelor's degree
  • 2006-2007: Legislative aide to Senator Daniel Akaka
  • 2002-2004: Hawaii House of Representatives


About the confirmation process

See also: Appointment confirmation process

The confirmation process includes several rounds of investigation and review, beginning with the submission of a personal financial disclosure report and a background check. The nominee is then evaluated in a committee hearing, which allows for a close examination of the nominee and his or her views on public policy. Supporters and opponents of the nominee may also testify.[12]

Once committee hearings are closed, most committees have a set amount of time before a vote is taken on whether the nominee is reported to the Senate favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation. The nomination will then go to the Senate floor for consideration. Once the nomination is considered by the Senate, unlimited debate is allowed until a majority of the Senate votes to invoke cloture and close debate. Following a vote of cloture, the Senate conducts a simple majority vote on whether to confirm, reject, or take no action on the nomination.[13]

About the Cabinet

A presidential Cabinet is a group of senior federal officials who advise the president on the issues and activities of their respective agencies. The Cabinet tradition is rooted in Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution, which states that the president "may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices."[14]

While not explicitly identified in the Constitution, the Cabinet secretaries are the 15 agency heads who are in the presidential line of succession. The vice president is also part of the Cabinet. These positions, in order of presidential succession, are:

The number of officials in a Cabinet can vary across presidential administrations. The following additional positions are part of Trump's second term presidential Cabinet:

All of the positions above, except for Vice President and White House Chief of Staff, require Senate confirmation.

Other Trump Cabinet nominees

See also: Donald Trump's Cabinet, 2025 and Confirmation process for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees, 2025

The following table provides an overview of the status, confirmation hearings, and committee and Senate votes for each of Trump's Cabinet and Cabinet-rank nominees in his second term.

Overview of confirmation process for Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees in his second term
Nominee Position Announced Senate committee Confirmation hearing Committee vote Senate vote Status
Marco Rubio Secretary of State November 13, 2024 Foreign Relations January 15, 2025 Favorable (22-0) 99-0 Confirmed on January 20, 2025
Scott Bessent Secretary of the Treasury November 22, 2024 Finance January 16, 2025 Favorable (16-11) 68-29 Confirmed on January 27, 2025
Pete Hegseth Secretary of Defense November 12, 2024 Armed Services January 14, 2025 Favorable (14-13) 51-50 Confirmed on January 24, 2025
Matt Gaetz Attorney General November 13, 2024 Judiciary N/A N/A N/A Withdrawn on November 21, 2024
Pam Bondi Attorney General November 21, 2024 Judiciary January 15-16, 2025 Favorable (12-10) 54-46 Confirmed on February 4, 2025
Doug Burgum Secretary of the Interior November 14, 2024 Energy and Natural Resources January 16, 2025 Favorable (18-2) 80-17 Confirmed on January 30, 2025
Brooke Rollins Secretary of Agriculture November 23, 2024 Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry January 23, 2025 Favorable (23-0) 72-28 Confirmed on February 13, 2025
Howard Lutnick Secretary of Commerce November 19, 2024 Commerce, Science, and Transportation January 29, 2025 Favorable (16-12) 51-45 Confirmed on February 18, 2025
Lori Chavez-DeRemer Secretary of Labor November 22, 2024 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions February 19, 2025 Favorable (13-9) 67-32 Confirmed on March 10, 2025
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Secretary of Health and Human Services November 14, 2024 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
/ Finance		 January 30, 2025 / January 29, 2025 N/A / Favorable (14-13) 52-48 Confirmed on February 13, 2025
Scott Turner Secretary of Housing and Urban Development November 22, 2024 Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs January 16, 2025 Favorable (13-11) 55-44 Confirmed on February 5, 2025
Sean Duffy Secretary of Transportation November 18, 2024 Commerce, Science, and Transportation January 15, 2025 Favorable (28-0) 77-22 Confirmed on January 28, 2025
Chris Wright Secretary of Energy November 16, 2024 Energy and Natural Resources January 15, 2025 Favorable (15-5) 59-38 Confirmed on February 3, 2025
Linda McMahon Secretary of Education November 19, 2024 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions February 13, 2025 Favorable (12-11) 51-45 Confirmed on March 3, 2025
Doug Collins Secretary of Veterans Affairs November 14, 2024 Veterans' Affairs January 21, 2025 Favorable (18-1) 77-23 Confirmed on February 4, 2025
Kristi Noem Secretary of Homeland Security November 12, 2024 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs January 17, 2025 Favorable (13-2) 59-34 Confirmed on January 25, 2025
Jamieson Greer U.S. Trade Representative November 26, 2024 Finance February 6, 2025 Favorable (15-12) 56-43 Confirmed on February 26, 2025
Tulsi Gabbard Director of National Intelligence November 13, 2024 Intelligence (Select) January 30, 2025 Favorable (9-8) 52-48 Confirmed on February 12, 2025
Elise Stefanik U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations November 11, 2024 Foreign Relations January 21, 2025 Favorable (Voice Vote) N/A Withdrawn on March 27, 2025
Michael Waltz U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations May 1, 2025 Foreign Relations July 15, 2025
September 17, 2025		 Favorable (12-10)
Favorable (11-10)		 47-43 Confirmed on September 19, 2025
Russell Vought Director of the Office of Management and Budget November 22, 2024 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs / Budget January 15, 2025 / January 22, 2025 Favorable (8-7) / Favorable (11-0) 53-47 Confirmed on February 6, 2025
Lee Zeldin Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency November 11, 2024 Environment and Public Works January 16, 2025 Favorable (11-8) 56-42 Confirmed on January 29, 2025
Kelly Loeffler Administrator of the Small Business Administration December 4, 2024 Small Business and Entrepreneurship January 29, 2025 Favorable (12-7) 52-46 Confirmed on February 19, 2025
John Ratcliffe Director of the Central Intelligence Agency November 12, 2024 Intelligence (Select) January 15, 2025 Favorable (14-3) 74-25 Confirmed on January 23, 2025


Historical comparison of Cabinet confirmations

Comparison to Biden administration

See also: Joe Biden's Cabinet

The following chart displays how many days it took for the Cabinet secretaries of President Joe Biden (D) to be confirmed after the inauguration in 2021. This chart includes the main 15 Cabinet positions.

Comparison to Trump's first term

See also: Donald Trump presidential Cabinet, 2017-2021

The following chart displays how many days it took for President Donald Trump's (R) first term Cabinet secretaries to be confirmed after the inauguration in 2017. This chart includes the main 15 Cabinet positions.

Comparison to Obama administration

The following chart displays how many days it took for the Cabinet secretaries of President Barack Obama (D) to be confirmed after the inauguration in 2009. This chart includes the main 15 Cabinet positions.


List of directors of national intelligence, 2005-2025

Directors of national intelligence, 2005-2025
Director Tenure Administration
Stacey Dixon (acting) 2025-Present Republican Party Donald Trump
Avril Haines 2021-2025 Democratic Party Joe Biden
Lora Shiao (acting) 2021-2021 Democratic Party Joe Biden
John Ratcliffe 2020-2021 Republican Party Donald Trump
Richard Grenell (acting) 2020-2020 Republican Party Donald Trump
Joseph Maguire (acting) 2019-2020 Republican Party Donald Trump
Dan Coats 2017-2019 Republican Party Donald Trump
Mike Demsey (acting) 2017-2017 Republican Party Donald Trump
James Clapper 2010-2017 Democratic Party Barack Obama
David Gompert (acting) 2010-2010 Democratic Party Barack Obama
Dennis Blair 2009-2010 Democratic Party Barack Obama
Ronald Burgess (acting) 2009-2009 Democratic Party Barack Obama
Mike McConnell 2007-2009 Republican Party George W. Bush
John Negroponte 2005-2007 Republican Party George W. Bush

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Senate.gov, "Hearings & Meetings," accessed January 27, 2025
  2. ↑ The New York Times, "How Each Senator Voted to Confirm Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence," February 12, 2025
  3. ↑ X, "Karoline Leavitt on November 13, 2024," accessed November 13, 2024
  4. ↑ The New York Times, "How Each Senator Voted to Confirm Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence," February 12, 2025
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 United States House of Representatives, "About Tulsi Gabbard," accessed July 15, 2019
  6. ↑ Army Times, "Tulsi Gabbard leaves Hawaii National Guard for California unit," October 19, 2020
  7. ↑ Vote Smart, "Tulsi Gabbard's Biography," accessed July 15, 2019
  8. ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "GABBARD, Tulsi, (1981 - )," accessed February 9, 2015
  9. ↑ Vote Tulsi, "KITV: Gabbard elected as DNC Vice Chair," January 22, 2013
  10. ↑ Star Advertiser, "Gabbard resigns from DNC to endorse Bernie Sanders," February 28, 2016
  11. ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "GABBARD, Tulsi, (1981 - )," accessed February 9, 2015
  12. ↑ CRS Report for Congress, "Senate Confirmation Process: An Overview," accessed July 24, 2013
  13. ↑ Congressional Research Service, "Senate Consideration of Presidential Nominations: Committee and Floor Procedure," April 4, 2019
  14. ↑ Constitution Center, "Presidential Advisors," accessed November 18, 2020
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