Vice President J.D. Vance took a firm stance against CBS anchor Margaret Brennan’s questioning, pushing back on what he perceived as an attempt to undermine Tulsi Gabbard’s nomination for Director of National Intelligence through selective headlines.
During a heated CBS interview, Brennan cited critical remarks from conservative media outlets, questioning Gabbard’s suitability for the role. However, Vance dismissed these criticisms, arguing that such publications no longer hold the sway they once did.
“Both the Wall Street Journal and the National Review, conservative publications, as you know, have been critical of Tulsi Gabbard. The Review called her ‘an atrocious nominee who deserves to be defeated.’ They compared her defense of Edward Snowden, the fugitive who stole U.S. secrets, to an attorney general who thinks the mob gets a bad rap. Her refusal to accept U.S. intelligence findings that Assad gassed his own people, they said, was ‘like a nominee for OMB Director not being able to count.’ Does any of this give you pause putting her in charge of the U.S. intelligence community? Yes or no?” Brennan pressed.
Vance, unfazed, countered with a sharp rebuttal. “No, Margaret. These are the same publications that launched relentless attacks on Donald J. Trump. But let’s be clear—these outlets don’t determine who runs this country. The American people do. And Donald Trump is the one who makes cabinet appointments, not a couple of increasingly irrelevant media voices.”
Brennan pushed back, stating, “The Senate will ultimately decide.”
Vance acknowledged the Senate’s role but expressed unwavering confidence in Gabbard’s confirmation. “Of course, the Senate has its constitutional duty to advise and consent. But I have no doubt that Tulsi Gabbard will be confirmed. Here’s what people need to understand: Tulsi is a career military officer who has held high-level security clearances for nearly two decades.”
He continued, “She has an unblemished record of service and the integrity to bring much-needed accountability to our intelligence agencies. These agencies have lost public trust due to their increasing politicization and involvement in the weaponization of our political and justice systems. We need intelligence services that prioritize national security above partisan agendas. Tulsi is the right person to restore that trust.”
Brennan fired back, “But she doesn’t trust those intelligence services.”
The exchange underscores a shifting political landscape where national security debates take center stage. Vance’s steadfast support for Gabbard reinforces the argument that leadership should be based on experience and integrity rather than the narratives pushed by partisan media outlets.
