Tulsi Gabbard Denies Wrongdoing Over Delayed Whistleblower Report

There is a disagreement about a whistleblower complaint that was filed a long time ago. Director Tulsi Gabbard says she did nothing wrong. Senator Mark Warner says the complaint took too long to reach Congress. The complaint is about classified information.
By Newsroom | US Politics, National Security |

A Standoff Over Information

Recent reports indicate a significant disagreement has emerged concerning the handling of a whistleblower complaint filed against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The complaint, which alleges the restriction of highly classified intelligence for political purposes, has been a point of contention for nearly a year. While Senator Mark Warner, Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has publicly criticized the delay in its referral to Congress, Director Gabbard has strongly refuted any wrongdoing, characterizing the accusations as "baseless" and politically motivated. This situation has brought into sharp focus questions about the proper protocols for handling sensitive intelligence, whistleblower protections, and the lines of communication between intelligence agencies and legislative oversight bodies. The core of the dispute lies in the timeline of the complaint's processing and the reasons behind its extended period in secure storage before being shared with relevant congressional committees.

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Background of the Complaint and Referral

A whistleblower complaint was initially filed in May of last year with the Intelligence Community's Inspector General. The complaint reportedly concerns allegations that Director Gabbard restricted the distribution of a highly classified intelligence report for political reasons.

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  • The complaint's existence became known to lawmakers in November, when the whistleblower's attorneys communicated with Congress.

  • According to Senator Warner, the complaint should have been shared with Congress within 21 days, a timeframe he asserts was not met.

  • Director Gabbard's office has stated that she first became aware of the complaint in June and first saw it for review approximately two weeks ago, prior to its referral.

  • The complaint has reportedly been held in a locked safe, described as containing "highly classified and compartmented intelligence," with concerns raised that its disclosure could cause "grave damage to national security."

  • The current Inspector General for the Intelligence Community, Christopher Fox, received security guidance on handling the complaint from Director Gabbard on January 30th.

  • Director Gabbard's office asserts that Biden-era Inspector General Tamara Johnson and her successor, Inspector General Chris Fox, were responsible for securing the complaint for months.

Key Events and Statements

The dispute has played out through public statements, letters to Congress, and media reports.

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  • Tulsi Gabbard's Position: Director Gabbard has consistently denied any personal involvement in concealing the complaint. She stated in a recent post that she has "never been, nor am I now, in possession or control of the complaint." She maintains that she only reviewed it to provide "security guidance" on how it should be securely shared with Congress. She has accused Senator Warner of spreading "lies and baseless accusations over the months for political gain."

  • Mark Warner's Position: Senator Warner has been a vocal critic, labeling the accusations against Director Gabbard as a "blatant lie" and questioning the nearly year-long delay in referral. His office has referred to Director Gabbard's response as an "inaccurate attack."

  • Inspector General's Role: Both former Inspector General Tamara Johnson and current Inspector General Christopher Fox have reportedly been in possession of the complaint. Fox indicated he learned of the complaint shortly after his appointment and subsequently received security guidance from Gabbard's office. He briefed Congress after receiving final approval.

  • Republican Support: Several Republicans, including Senator Tom Cotton (Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee) and Representative Rick Crawford (Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence), have stated they reviewed the complaint and concluded it was "not credible" and an attempt to "smear Gabbard’s reputation."

Handling of Classified Information and Whistleblower Protocols

The core of the disagreement revolves around the interpretation and application of protocols for handling sensitive whistleblower complaints and classified intelligence.

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Security and Access to the Complaint

  • Director Gabbard's explanation emphasizes the sensitive nature of the complaint's contents, requiring it to be secured in a safe, a procedure consistent with handling "highly classified and compartmented intelligence."

  • The whistleblower's attorneys and Senator Warner contend that the complaint was improperly withheld from routine congressional access for an extended period.

  • The complaint was reportedly returned to a safe after being shared with the Gang of Eight (top congressional leaders), following security guidance.

Timelines and Responsibility

  • Director Gabbard states she was not aware of the complaint until June and only reviewed it recently for security guidance.

  • Her office points to the successive Inspectors General as being responsible for securing the complaint for months.

  • The whistleblower’s legal team has accused Gabbard's office of slow-walking the complaint, an accusation her office denies.

Allegations of Political Motivation

  • Director Gabbard's office has characterized the complaint as "politically motivated" and a "baseless" attempt to weaponize her position.

  • Republicans on intelligence committees have largely echoed this sentiment, dismissing the complaint as lacking credibility.

Additional Context: Election Security and Trump's Presence

Reports have also surfaced connecting Director Gabbard to election security matters and President Trump's activities.

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  • Gabbard's Presence at FBI Search: Director Gabbard defended her presence during an FBI search warrant execution in Fulton County, Georgia, stating it was at President Trump's request to coordinate counterintelligence efforts and election integrity.

  • Foreign Intelligence Call: Separately, a whistleblower's attorney stated that Gabbard's office redacted significant portions of a released complaint, citing executive privilege, after the NSA flagged a foreign intelligence call discussing a person close to Donald Trump. It is alleged that Gabbard instructed the NSA to transmit details of this call directly to her office.

Expert Analysis

  • Senator Tom Cotton, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, stated that after reviewing the complaint, he agreed with the Inspectors General that it was "not credible."

  • Republicans on the House and Senate intelligence committees have backed Gabbard, with statements suggesting they believe the complaint is an attempt to damage her reputation.

  • Mark Warner's office has asserted that Gabbard's response to the accusations is "entirely on brand for someone who has already and repeatedly proven she’s unqualified to serve as DNI."

Conclusion and Ongoing Scrutiny

The dispute over the whistleblower complaint highlights significant tension between oversight demands and intelligence security protocols.

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  • Director Tulsi Gabbard has asserted her adherence to security procedures and denied any intentional delay or concealment, attributing the extended period to the complaint's sensitive nature and the roles of the Inspectors General.

  • Senator Mark Warner and other Democrats continue to question the timeline and transparency of the referral process.

  • The complaint itself reportedly alleges the withholding of classified intelligence for political reasons and a failure by Gabbard's office to report a potential crime to the Department of Justice.

  • Republicans on intelligence committees have largely dismissed the complaint's veracity, aligning with Gabbard's defense.

  • The Intelligence Community Inspector General has outlined the complaint in a letter to the committees, and the whistleblower's legal team has expressed a willingness to speak directly with lawmakers.

The situation remains under scrutiny, with further examination expected regarding Director Gabbard's explanation of her statutory authorities and her handling of the whistleblower complaint.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the whistleblower complaint about?
The complaint says that classified information was not shared correctly for political reasons.
Q: Who is involved in this disagreement?
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Mark Warner are the main people disagreeing.
Q: What does Tulsi Gabbard say?
She says she did nothing wrong and the complaint is not true. She says she only saw it recently.
Q: What does Senator Warner say?
He says the complaint took too long to be sent to Congress, which is against the rules.
Q: Do other politicians agree with Gabbard?
Some Republican leaders have reviewed the complaint and said it is not believable and is meant to harm Gabbard's reputation.