Tulsi Gabbard Announces Major Overhaul of the ODNI
Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has made a pivotal statement regarding changes at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). In a bold move, Gabbard plans to reduce the agency’s workforce by 40% by October, marking the beginning of what she is calling "ODNI 2.0."
Vision for ODNI 2.0
In her announcement, Gabbard emphasized the necessity of transformational change within the ODNI. She articulated that this step is crucial to confront the issue of "bloated bureaucracy," eliminate deep state actors, and restore the agency’s focus on its core missions.
Key Objectives and Cuts
According to a report from The Hill, Gabbard’s proposed changes include:
- Reassigning roles or eliminating centers focused on:
- Monitoring foreign influence efforts
- Addressing the proliferation of biological weapons
- Cyberattack defenses
Addressing Historical Inefficiencies
In her tweet, Gabbard reflected on the original purpose of the ODNI, established in the wake of the 9/11 attacks to ensure accurate and timely intelligence is delivered to protect national security. However, she noted that two decades later, the agency has become encumbered by inefficiency and abuse of power.
"For too long, bad actors have exploited and politicized our Intelligence Community to drive agendas that prioritize their own interests over those of the American people," Gabbard declared.
Goals for a Streamlined Intelligence Community
Gabbard’s plan aims not only to cut costs but also to rebuild trust with American citizens. She shared several key initiatives aimed at improving the ODNI’s operation:
- Eliminating wasted spending
- Ensuring transparency and accountability
- Ending the politicization of intelligence
Focus on Core Missions
As Gabbard noted, the restructuring will ensure that ODNI aligns with national priorities while addressing pressing security needs, including:
- Counterterrorism efforts in partnership with law enforcement
- Counterintelligence measures focused on protecting national security
Her campaign highlights that efforts will be made to eliminate entities that have devolved from their original mission and become politicized.
Targeting the Foreign Malign Influence Center
One of the significant centers set for closure is the Foreign Malign Influence Center (FMIC), which has faced criticism for its perceived role in censoring information and engaging in politically biased activities. Gabbard’s officials stated that the FMIC is redundant as other agencies, such as the National Intelligence Council and National Counterintelligence and Security Center, are already overseeing similar monitoring tasks.
Criticism of the FMIC
- The FMIC was implicated in coordinating with tech giants like Twitter and Facebook to suppress the New York Post’s Hunter Biden story, raising concerns about its existence.
- Gabbard and her senior officials described the center as "turned against the American people," reinforcing the need for structural change.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for Intelligence
With the ambitious launch of ODNI 2.0, Tulsi Gabbard aims to usher in a new era focused on accountability, effectiveness, and the American public’s trust.
"We are committed to ensuring that our intelligence community serves the American people faithfully and with integrity," Gabbard stated, underscoring her resolve to strip away inefficiencies and politicization.
As these changes unfold, all eyes will be on Gabbard’s actions to reshape the ODNI into a more responsible entity dedicated to the safety and security of Americans.
For further updates on this significant shift within the intelligence community, consider following key outlets like The Hill and Breitbart News.