Overview
- An intelligence whistleblower alleges Tulsi Gabbard halted routine distribution of an NSA intercept, delivered a paper copy to White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, and told the NSA not to publish its report, according to the whistleblower’s lawyer.
- Responding publicly, Gabbard said she never possessed the complaint, called the allegations baseless, and noted both acting and current inspectors general did not find the claims credible before she provided security guidance in December.
- Congressional leaders in the Gang of Eight received a heavily redacted, read‑and‑return version this week, with officials citing executive‑privilege claims and one U.S. official warning disclosure could cause grave damage to national security.
- Sen. Mark Warner argues the referral violated the 21‑day transmission expectation for complaints to reach Congress, while Gabbard says that timeline applies only when a complaint is judged urgent and apparently credible.
- Briefings described to reporters indicate the intercepted call involved two foreign nationals discussing a person close to President Trump and Iran, while reactions have split along party lines and some lawmakers question the inspector general office’s independence after an ODNI adviser was detailed there.