Overview
- Gabbard kept her job after Roger Stone urged Trump to back off, a push he confirmed Thursday on X while warning that firing her would make her a martyr and boost her 2028 standing, according to Axios.
- Trump had grown unhappy with Gabbard’s March 18 testimony on threats to the U.S. because she did not fully endorse the Iran war, and he polled advisers about replacing her, multiple reports said.
- The pressure rose after Joe Kent resigned the day before that testimony as head of the National Counterterrorism Center, saying Iran posed no imminent threat and alleging U.S. action followed pressure from Israel.
- An ODNI spokesperson said Gabbard remains committed to her responsibilities, and the White House press secretary said Trump believes she is doing an excellent job on his national security team.
- The fallout exposed internal strain as activist Laura Loomer claimed Gabbard was offered the chance to resign, a claim a Gabbard ally called absolutely false, while Stone and Loomer traded shots online.