DNI Gabbard's Presence at FBI Search Spurs Congressional Scrutiny
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard recently attended an FBI search warrant execution at an election office in Fulton County, Georgia. Following the search, she facilitated a phone call between President Donald Trump and the agents involved. This event, coupled with Gabbard's independent review of the 2020 election, has prompted a request for her testimony from Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and inquiries from other Democratic lawmakers. Gabbard stated her presence was at President Trump's request and falls under her statutory authority related to election security.
DNI Gabbard's Presence at FBI Search
DNI Tulsi Gabbard was present at an FBI raid on an election office in Fulton County, Georgia. In a letter to lawmakers, Gabbard confirmed that her presence was "requested" by President Trump, and she observed the execution of an FBI search warrant for a brief period.
Following the search, Gabbard confirmed that she thanked the FBI agents for their work and facilitated a brief phone call during which President Trump personally thanked them.
The New York Times reported that President Trump also asked questions during this interaction, primarily addressed by the squad supervisor who had developed evidence for the search warrant. The FBI raid in Fulton County was also overseen by Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey, who was dispatched by President Trump.
Congressional Scrutiny and Concerns
Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) requested that DNI Gabbard testify in person before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Warner expressed significant concern regarding a sitting president's personal involvement in a criminal investigation related to an election he lost, characterizing it as inappropriate.
Senator Warner stated, "President Trump's recent suggestion for Republicans to 'take over' and 'nationalize' elections raises concerns for election security in future cycles," adding that the events in Fulton County aim to influence future elections.
Democratic senators possess the authority to compel testimony.
Gabbard's presence at the domestic law enforcement operation also prompted questions from Democratic lawmakers, including Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock and Representatives Lucy McBath and Nikema Williams, as well as former intelligence officials. These Georgia lawmakers sent a letter to US Attorney General Pam Bondi, inquiring about Gabbard's presence and whether a legitimate foreign intelligence nexus exists that would necessitate a congressional briefing.
Administration officials have clarified that Gabbard has played a minimal role in the criminal investigation, focusing instead on her independent review. An ODNI spokeswoman, Olivia Coleman, referred to Gabbard's letter when asked for comment on Warner's remarks but did not address the call for testimony.
DNI's Role and Stated Authority
DNI Gabbard cited her statutory authority as Director of National Intelligence to coordinate, integrate, and analyze intelligence related to election security. This authority encompasses counterintelligence, foreign and malign influence, and cybersecurity. Officials confirm that Gabbard's activities fall within her statutory authority, citing executive orders from 2022 and 2025 that mandate the DNI assess foreign interference in federal elections.
Olivia Coleman, a spokesperson for the DNI, affirmed the office's awareness of electronic voting system vulnerabilities and stated that DNI Gabbard would continue to act within her authority to support election integrity, in line with President Trump’s directive. The ODNI is not expected to gain direct access to evidence from the criminal investigation.
Ongoing 2020 Election Review
DNI Tulsi Gabbard is leading an independent review into the 2020 election, a process authorized by President Trump. This review is separate from an ongoing Justice Department investigation. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) review has concentrated for several months on potential vulnerabilities in voting machines and the possibility of foreign interference. Gabbard regularly briefs President Trump and senior White House advisors on these findings.
The ODNI review was initially managed by the Director’s Initiatives Group (Dig), a task force Gabbard established to examine 2020 voting machine vulnerabilities. Dig was later dissolved following a misidentification related to pipe bombs placed before the January 6 Capitol riot. Despite this, Gabbard has continued the ODNI review.
Details of the FBI Search
Fulton County Superior Court Clerk Che Alexander confirmed that federal agents sought 2020 election records. Agents removed 24 pallets containing 656 boxes of documents. The search warrant cited potential violations of federal laws related to the preservation of election records and the procurement of false ballots or voter registrations. Agents were authorized to seize significant 2020 voter data, including physical ballots, voting machine tabulator tapes, ballot count images, and voter rolls. The specific target of the criminal investigation has not been publicly identified.
Related Activities
DNI Gabbard has also been involved in efforts related to past political claims for President Trump. This includes promoting claims regarding former President Barack Obama and the 2016 Russian interference narrative. An Obama spokesperson commented on these claims, referencing bipartisan Senate reports that affirmed Russian interference in the 2016 election.