Vice President J.D. Vance defended Tulsi Gabbard against CBS anchor Margaret Brennan’s criticisms during an interview, calling conservative publications that oppose her nomination “irrelevant.” Brennan cited harsh critiques from the Wall Street Journal and National Review regarding Gabbard’s past positions, but Vance emphasized that the president and the American people—not these outlets—decide cabinet appointments. He praised Gabbard’s military service, character, and her potential to restore trust in the intelligence community by reining in bureaucratic overreach. Brennan accused Gabbard of distrusting intelligence agencies, but Vance argued she wants to restore their core mission of national security. Gabbard appears likely to be confirmed as Director of National Intelligence, with Republican senators Lisa Murkowski and Bill Cassidy publicly supporting her despite some reservations. Gabbard left Congress in 2021, left the Democratic Party in 2022, endorsed Trump for 2024, and joined the Republican Party last year
