Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Friday that she was “aggressively pursuing” individuals within the intelligence community who have leaked information to legacy media outlets, such as NBC News and The Washington Post.
Gabbard said that leakers violated the law by providing reporters with classified information about American foreign policy on Iran, Israel, and Russia.
“Our nation’s Intelligence Community must be focused on our national security mission. Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated,” Gabbard posted on X. “Unfortunately, such leaks have become commonplace with no investigation or accountability. That ends now. We know of and are aggressively pursuing recent leakers from within the Intelligence Community and will hold them accountable.”
Our nation’s Intelligence Community must be focused on our national security mission. Politically motivated leaks undermine our national security and the trust of the American people, and will not be tolerated.
Unfortunately, such leaks have become commonplace with no…
— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) March 14, 2025
She then listed several examples of “unauthorized leaks.”
In one case, she said a leaker had been sharing “classified information” with the liberal outlet Huffington Post but did not specify on what topic. In another example, Gabbard referenced unauthorized leaks on Iran and Israel to The Washington Post.
Another intel worker gave NBC News information on the U.S.-Russia relationship, Gabbard said, and a different person told The Record about activities of the National Counterintelligence and Security Center.
“Any unauthorized release of classified information is a violation of the law and will be treated as such,” Gabbard said.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) praised Gabbard’s announcement.
“I’m grateful that [Gabbard] is working to end leaking and the weaponization of the Intelligence Community,” he posted on X. “Another promise made and promise kept.”
Gabbard was narrowly confirmed as DNI last month in a 52-48 vote. During her confirmation hearing, she promised to end the politicization of intelligence and restore trust in the national security apparatus tasked with protecting American citizens.
