Last Updated 1 week by Amnon J. Jobi | Amnon Front Page
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., announced Tuesday that he will support Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination as director of national intelligence, boosting her chances for confirmation.
Young wrote on X, “Having now secured these commitments, I will support Tulsi’s nomination and look forward to working with her to protect our national security.”
On Tuesday afternoon, a Senate committee advanced Gabbard’s divisive nomination as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence.
Young, a key GOP swing vote on the Senate Intelligence Committee, had remained undecided until securing commitments from Gabbard on national security issues.
“I appreciate Tulsi Gabbard’s engagement on issues important to supporting intelligence professionals and providing unbiased information,” Young posted on X, alongside a letter from Gabbard outlining her commitments. As a former Marine Corps intelligence officer, Young emphasized his priority of advancing national security.
He added, “I have done what the Framers envisioned for senators to do: use the consultative process to seek firm commitments, in this case commitments that will advance our national security, which is my top priority as a former Marine Corps intelligence officer.”
The announcement came just before the Senate Intelligence Committee was set to vote on her nomination. With Republicans holding a one-seat majority, any defection could have hurt her chances.
Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) had already pledged support, strengthening Gabbard’s position. She can afford to lose only three GOP votes on the floor, with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) likely voting against her and Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) still uncertain.
Gabbard faced criticism from some Republicans after refusing to label Edward Snowden a traitor during confirmation hearings. Collins said Gabbard clarified her stance in a closed-door session to address concerns.
Meanwhile, tech billionaire Elon Musk backtracked on calling Sen. Young a “deep state puppet” following a conversation on Sunday. Musk had initially made the claim after an unverified post on X said Young wouldn’t support Gabbard’s nomination. Just two hours later, Musk posted again, saying he stood “corrected” and that he and Young “had an excellent conversation.”
“Senator Young will be a great ally in restoring power to the people from the vast, unelected bureaucracy,” Musk wrote before deleting the original post.
Sunday, a Young spokesperson told News 8 the senator and Musk discussed several topics of shared interest, including DOGE. Young, who will serve through 2028, has criticized former President Trump after his Republican nomination in 2024.
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