US Intel Chief Tulsi Gabbard Was Unaware Of Trump's Venezuela Plan, But Why?

US Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. (Reuters/File)

As per a report published in Bloomberg, the decision to exclude Gabbard from key meetings was widely known within the administration, with some Trump White House staff members joking that the initials of her position, DNI, should stand for “Do Not Invite".

Although the remarks were not intended seriously, they highlight the disdain for Gabbard within Trump’s inner circle. A White House official, however, denied that such comments had been made. Gabbard had earlier said that the US should “stay out" of Venezuela.

The episode has reignited scepticism within Trump’s inner circle regarding the DNI role itself. Some advisers have suggested that the position, created after the September 11 attacks to improve coordination across the intelligence community, should be abolished entirely.

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Director of Intelligence highlighted a social media post by Gabbard praising US service members for what she described as the operation’s “flawless execution" in capturing Maduro. This post followed days of silence, while other senior national security officials publicly celebrated the operation through press briefings and media appearances.

Meanwhile, former officials from both Democratic and Republican administrations noted that excluding the DNI from such planning was highly unusual.

Vance Rejects Speculations

As speculations rose, Vice President JD Vance dismissed claims that either he or Gabbard had been excluded from planning, calling them “false". “We’re all part of the same team," Vance told reporters at the White House on Thursday.

He said the operation had been tightly held among a small group of senior cabinet and security officials to preserve secrecy.

Location :

Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

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