Is Donald Trump preparing to fire Tulsi Gabbard? Report says intelligence chief was reluctant to support Iran war –

New questions are swirling about Tulsi Gabbard’s future after Donald Trump privately polled his advisers about whether she should remain in one of the administration’s most sensitive roles.According to a report by The Guardian, Trump asked Cabinet officials in recent weeks whether he should replace Gabbard as director of national intelligence.

These talks came in the wake of his growing frustration over its handling of internal disputes related to the American position on the Iran war.

At the heart of the tension is former Representative Joe Kent, who resigned after saying that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. Trump was already angry about Kent’s remarks, but things got worse when Gabbard refused to condemn him during her testimony before Congress at a global threats hearing last month.Trump was particularly upset that Gabbard seemed reluctant to fully support the administration’s justification for military action against Iran, the sources said. Its position came from long-held views, including opposition to US involvement in foreign wars and previous statements questioning the legitimacy of pre-emptive strikes.Despite the criticism, Trump offered a measured public response. “Yes, absolutely,” he told reporters when asked if he still trusted her.

“I mean, she’s a little different in her way of thinking than me, but that doesn’t make someone unavailable for service.”The White House also calmed speculation. “As President Trump just said in his remarks, he has confidence in Administrator Gabbard and the hard work she is doing,” spokesman Stephen Cheung said. “He has assembled the most talented and influential Cabinet ever, and collectively they have achieved historic victories on behalf of the American people.”However, no clear replacement for Gabbard has emerged, making any immediate decision less likely.The uncertainty comes amid scrutiny of Gabbard’s tenure. She has faced criticism from within the GOP administration on multiple fronts, including a video warning of nuclear war after a visit to Hiroshima, which angered Trump. He also publicly opposed it earlier this year after she told lawmakers that Iran had not decided to build a nuclear weapon.

“She’s wrong,” Trump said before authorizing the strike on Iranian nuclear facilities using US B-2 bombers.However, she has also earned Trump’s approval at times, including her support for an assessment that Russia did not try to boost his 2016 campaign.For now, Gabbard remains in her position, and her office insists she is focused on her duties. White House spokeswoman Olivia Coleman said: “Over the past two weeks, President Trump has said he has confidence in the Director of National Intelligence, and that she has done well in her congressional hearings. She remains committed to fulfilling the responsibilities the President has placed on her.”