Exclusive: National Intelligence Director Tarshi Gabbard has made a significant move within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to empower whistleblowers by allowing them to remove top officials at the National Intelligence Council. This decision has been described as a response to perceived “fundamental opposition to Trump” and aims to prevent the “politicization of intelligence,” as reported by Fox News Digital.
Gabbard has dismissed Mike Collins, the deputy chairman of the National Intelligence Council, along with his vice-chairwoman, Maria Langan Liecht, a development confirmed to Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
DNI GABBARD refers Intel officials to DOJ for prosecution over alleged classified info leaks
Attempts to reach Collins and Langan-Riekhof following their removal went unanswered.
Reports indicate that Collins has faced whistleblower accusations regarding political bias and claims he has been actively undermining any future Trump administration. Officials also mentioned that Collins has ties to Michael Morell, the former CIA deputy director, who had asserted that Hunter Biden’s laptop bore signs of being part of Russian disinformation efforts.
In relation to Langan-Riekhof, she was noted as a strong proponent of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the agency, advocating that whistleblowers embody “fundamental opposition to Trump.”
Meanwhile, Gabbard has shifted the National Intelligence Council from the CIA to the DNI’s office, with reports suggesting this move directly addresses a culture of “inappropriate behavior and politicization of information.” According to various officials, many leakers within the intelligence community are long-standing bureaucrats entrenched in Washington’s political landscape.
“Removing them takes time,” one official explained, noting that plans are underway to eliminate non-essential offices in the ODNI.
A CIA representative mentioned to Fox News Digital on Tuesday that the National Intelligence Council has always been regarded as part of the DNI, making its relocation logical.
Gabbard establishes a new Intelligence Community Task Force to enhance transparency
This alteration comes as Gabbard seeks to eliminate information leaks and has expressed concern about a “deep state” presence that allegedly politicizes intelligence and aims to sabotage President Trump’s efforts.
Flashback: Biden Campaign, Blinken Orchestrates Intel Letter to Question Hunter Biden Laptop Story
To date, Gabbard has referred three officials from intelligence agencies to the DOJ for potential criminal charges related to leaking classified information. Fox News Digital had previously reported on these referrals in April.
An ODNI official was implicated for leaking classified material to news organizations such as the Washington Post and the New York Times.
“The leakage of classified information, a clear indication of politicization, jeopardizes our national security,” Gabbard stated to Fox News Digital in April, asserting that individuals responsible for such leaks would face serious consequences.
A senior intelligence official revealed on Tuesday that an investigation is currently being conducted involving 12 other intelligence officers regarding classified information leaks.
In early May, sources revealed that two officials detailed from the CIA were terminated for allegedly defending proper procedures.
In April, Gabbard launched a task force aimed at restoring transparency and accountability within the intelligence community. This initiative, labeled the Director’s Initiative Group (DIG), is focused on investigating the potential misuse of intelligence.
Officials indicated that this group aims to remove politicization and reveal unfair disclosures of classified intelligence while also working to declassify information beneficial to the public.
Gabbard targets personnel involved in inappropriate behaviors and prosecuting illegal leaks within the intelligence community.
Additionally, there have been concerns over delays in reviewing candidates for roles within the Intelligence community.
At present, the ODNI lacks candidates for several key positions, including Deputy Director of National Intelligence and General Intelligence Inspector.
