Bolton: Moscow, Beijing should feel ‘a lot of relief’ if Gabbard is confirmed as DNI

Former national security adviser John Bolton said Russia and China should feel “a lot of relief” if former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) is confirmed as President-elect Trump’s director of national intelligence.

“She’s not capable of doing it,” Bolton said Sunday on CNN. “Her judgment is nonexistent, and the idea that somehow she would be put in charge of this critical function should be giving the our adversaries in Moscow and Beijing a lot of relief.”

Trump announced last week that Gabbard, who has been accused of spreading Russian talking points, is his pick for director of national intelligence.

If she were to be confirmed by the Senate, Gabbard would oversee an agency that helps coordinate among all U.S. intelligence agencies and is responsible for compiling the President’s Daily Brief, which informs the commander in chief’s national security decisions.

Lawmakers and national security experts have expressed shock and concern over Trump’s nomination. Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022 and became a Republican this year, has expressed beliefs in opposition to U.S. intelligence, particularly about the Russia-Ukraine war.

She’s shared content that suggests the U.S. was involved in Ukraine developing biological weapons, a Russian narrative.

Bolton previously argued there should be an FBI investigation into Gabbard before she appears before the Senate for confirmation.

On Sunday, he said if she is confirmed by the Senate, it would be a “very serious mistake.”

“She has zero experience dealing with the intelligence community,” he said, adding, “She doesn’t have the slightest idea what the job involves.”

Bolton said just because Trump won the election, it is “no excuse” for the Senate to “abandon its constitutional function.”

“I think there will be enough Republicans — maybe not a majority, but enough — to block the nomination," he predicted. "And if not, we’re in deep trouble."