According to Fox News, Gabbard has terminated the employment of Mike Collins, acting chair of the National Intelligence Council, and his deputy Maria Langan-Riekhof, while also relocating the agency to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The dismissals come after whistleblowers described the officials as being "radically opposed to Trump," with Collins facing additional complaints regarding political bias and alleged attempts to undermine the Trump administration. Senior intelligence officials revealed that Collins maintained close ties with Michael Morrell, the former CIA deputy director who orchestrated a public letter in 2020 suggesting Hunter Biden's laptop showed signs of Russian interference.
Structural changes target intelligence politicization
The relocation of the National Intelligence Council from the CIA to ODNI represents a strategic move to enhance accountability. This restructuring enables Gabbard to directly oversee and address any instances of improper conduct or intelligence politicization within the organization.
Intelligence officials emphasize that many of the leakers causing concerns are career bureaucrats deeply embedded in Washington's political landscape. The process of identifying and removing these individuals requires careful consideration and time, with plans already in motion to eliminate non-essential offices housing suspected deep state operatives.
A CIA representative clarified that while the National Intelligence Council has always operated as a DNI component, the physical relocation to DNI headquarters aligns with operational efficiency goals.
Ongoing investigations and accountability measures
Gabbard told Fox News Digital:
Politicization of our intelligence and leaking classified information puts our nation's security at risk and must end. Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
The ODNI is currently investigating 12 additional intelligence officials for alleged classified information leaks. Recent actions include the termination of two CIA detailees in early May for breaking protocols while handling information about the Tren de Aragua gang.
The establishment of the Director's Initiative Group in April marks another significant step in Gabbard's reform agenda. This task force focuses on investigating weaponization within the intelligence community and works to declassify information deemed in the public interest.
Staffing challenges impact reform implementation
The reform efforts face obstacles due to delays in confirming key intelligence nominees essential for implementing the Trump administration's agenda.
Currently, several critical positions remain vacant, including the principal deputy director of national intelligence, National Counterterrorism Center director, and intelligence inspector general.
Strategic overhaul reshapes intelligence landscape
DNI Tulsi Gabbard's decisive actions to reorganize the National Intelligence Council represent a significant shift in how intelligence operations are managed and overseen. The firing of top officials and relocation of the council to ODNI supervision demonstrates a commitment to addressing concerns about political bias and unauthorized information disclosure.
As investigations continue into additional suspected leakers and reforms take shape through initiatives like the Director's Initiative Group, the intelligence community faces a period of substantial transformation aimed at enhancing accountability and operational integrity.
