Whistleblower Alleges DNI Tulsi Gabbard Blocked Intelligence, Delayed Transmission to Congress
A U.S. intelligence official filed a whistleblower complaint in May against Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, alleging that Gabbard blocked the routine dispatch of classified intelligence and delayed its transmission to Congress. The complaint also raises questions about Gabbard's handling of specific intelligence concerning a phone call detected by the National Security Agency (NSA). Gabbard's office has denied any wrongdoing, stating that her actions were within legal authority and that previous inspector generals found the allegations baseless.
Origins of the Complaint: NSA Phone Call and Alleged Actions
Last spring, the National Security Agency (NSA) detected a phone call between an individual linked to foreign intelligence and a person close to Donald Trump. According to Andrew Bakaj, the attorney for the whistleblower, DNI Tulsi Gabbard was informed of this intelligence.
Bakaj states that Gabbard reportedly took a physical copy of the intelligence directly to the president's chief of staff, Susie Wiles, rather than allowing NSA officials to widely distribute the information. Following this meeting, Gabbard allegedly instructed the NSA not to publish the intelligence report and directed officials to transmit the details directly to her office.
On April 17, the whistleblower contacted the Inspector General's office with allegations that Gabbard had blocked classified intelligence from routine dispatch. A formal complaint regarding Gabbard's actions was filed on May 21. The specifics of the complaint's substance have not been publicly disclosed by administration officials or the whistleblower's lawyer, though Bakaj noted he has not seen the full complaint himself. The complaint has been described by some as an "urgent concern" and reportedly includes elements considered "attorney-client privileged" and potentially "executive privilege."
The whistleblower's attorney, Andrew Bakaj, alleges DNI Gabbard personally delivered sensitive intelligence to the President's chief of staff and then instructed the NSA to withhold its wider distribution, instead directing details to her office.
Official Responses and Allegations of Delay
Olivia Coleman, Gabbard’s press secretary, acknowledged the complaint via social media, rejecting accusations of stonewalling. Coleman stated that the complaint was "baseless" and had been shared with congressional intelligence committees, asserting "absolutely NO wrongdoing by DNI Gabbard." She claimed a previous inspector general had concluded the allegations lacked credibility and suggested the whistleblower was "politically motivated."
An ODNI press secretary also stated that reports of Gabbard's actions were false and that her conduct was within her legal and statutory authority, noting that both a Biden-era and a Trump-appointed Intelligence Community Inspector General had found allegations against Gabbard baseless.
The intelligence report remained undisclosed for eight months, and congressional intelligence committees did not become aware of the complaint until November, despite Bakaj's request in June that it be shared with lawmakers. According to sources, Gabbard's office had not shared the complaint earlier due to efforts to establish security guidance for the information it contained. An official from the Office of the Director for National Intelligence (ODNI) stated there is no legal timeframe for transmitting security guidance related to a whistleblower's complaint to an inspector general. This ODNI official also claimed DNI Gabbard was unaware of her responsibility to outline security guidance for sending the complaint to Congress until a new inspector general assumed office in October, after which Gabbard reportedly took immediate action. Bakaj indicated that the ODNI also cited classification, a government shutdown, and the inspector general's alleged failure to notify Gabbard of reporting requirements as reasons for the delay.
DNI Gabbard's office maintains there was "absolutely NO wrongdoing," stating her actions were legal and that past inspector generals found allegations baseless. However, the intelligence report and whistleblower complaint faced an eight-month delay before reaching Congress, far exceeding typical transmission times.
Inspector General's Handling and Congressional Scrutiny
Acting Inspector General Tamara A. Johnson dismissed the complaint on June 6, stating that credibility could not be determined. Johnson's letter advised the whistleblower could approach Congress after receiving DNI guidance due to the sensitive nature of the complaint.
Concerns were raised by lawmakers regarding the independence of the watchdog's office after Gabbard assigned Dennis Kirk, one of her top advisers, to work there on May 9. Kirk had served in the first Trump administration and co-authored Project 2025. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (D-Massachusetts) expressed concerns to acting Inspector General Johnson regarding the potential compromise of the watchdog office's integrity due to Kirk's appointment. Johnson was later replaced by Christopher Fox as intelligence community inspector general in October.
Members of the "gang of eight" (Senate and House leaders privy to classified information) received a redacted version of the report in February. Opinions on the legality of Gabbard's conduct and the whistleblower's credibility varied among them. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) defended Gabbard's conduct, stating she took necessary steps for appropriate handling. In contrast, Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia), Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the delay, noting that the law typically requires transmission within 21 days, but Congress did not receive it until February. Former intelligence officials indicated that such a delay in transmitting a whistleblower complaint to Congress is highly unusual, as security concerns are typically resolved within days or weeks.
Bakaj stated that Gabbard's office redacted much of the complaint released to intelligence committee members, citing executive privilege, which he suggested involves presidential action. On February 3, Bakaj again requested guidance on sharing the full report with Congress, emphasizing its national security impact. As of his stated deadline, the DNI's office had not responded. Members of the gang of eight have contacted the NSA directly to request the underlying intelligence.