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• Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has fired two top officials from the National Intelligence Council (NIC).
• The firings follow a report contradicting the President Trump’s administration’s claims about Venezuela’s links to the Tren de Aragua gang.
• Gabbard is also consolidating control over the President’s Daily Brief.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, has dismissed Mike Collins, the acting chair of the National Intelligence Council, and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof. This move comes after an NIC report disputed the President Trump’s administration’s assertion that Venezuela’s Maduro regime is linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.

Core Players

• Tulsi Gabbard – Director of National Intelligence
• Mike Collins – Former acting chair of the National Intelligence Council
• Maria Langan-Riekhof – Former deputy of the National Intelligence Council
• Donald Trump – President Trump of the United States (involved in the context of the firings)

Key Numbers

• 18 – Number of federal intelligence agencies overseen by Gabbard
• 2025 – Year of the firings and report release
• 1798 – Year the Alien Enemies Act was enacted, which the administration has invoked for deportations

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The firings were triggered by an NIC report that contradicted the President Trump’s administration’s claims about Venezuela’s government and the Tren de Aragua gang. This report was seen as a challenge to the administration’s narrative, which has been used to justify invoking the wartime authority of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for deportations.

Inside Forces

Gabbard’s actions reflect an internal struggle within the intelligence community. The NIC’s report was viewed as politicized by the administration, leading to accusations that the intelligence was not aligned with the President Trump’s political agenda. Gabbard has also been consolidating control over key intelligence operations, including the preparation of the President’s Daily Brief, which is now being moved from the CIA to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

Power Dynamics

Gabbard’s move to fire the NIC officials and consolidate control over the President’s Daily Brief indicates a significant shift in power dynamics within the intelligence community. This change gives Gabbard more direct influence over the intelligence presented to the President Trump, aligning it more closely with the administration’s views.

Outside Impact

The broader implications of these firings include concerns about the politicization of intelligence and its potential impact on national security decisions. Critics argue that the firings undermine the independence and credibility of the intelligence community, while supporters see it as a necessary step to ensure intelligence aligns with the administration’s policies.

Future Forces

Looking ahead, the intelligence community is likely to face increased scrutiny and potential reforms. Gabbard has vowed to investigate intelligence leaks and end the misuse of intelligence for political aims. Additionally, the consolidation of intelligence operations under ODNI could lead to more centralized control over intelligence analysis and reporting.

Data Points

• May 15, 2025 – Date of the firings and report release
• 2015-2020 – Period of public feuds between President Trump and previous intelligence officials
• 18 – Number of federal intelligence agencies Gabbard oversees
• 1798 – Year the Alien Enemies Act was enacted