FBI Slams Gabbard Counterintelligence Power Grab
In a rare public rebuke, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has formally opposed a controversial House bill that would shift key counterintelligence responsibilities from the bureau to Tulsi Gabbard, the current Director of National Intelligence (DNI). The move has ignited a high-stakes turf war within the U.S. national security apparatus.
What’s in the Bill?
The proposed legislation—still in early congressional review—aims to restructure America’s counterintelligence framework by placing the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) at the helm. Under the bill, the DNI would assume lead authority over domestic and foreign counterintelligence operations, a role historically held by the FBI since the Cold War era.
Proponents argue the change would streamline intelligence coordination across the 18-agency U.S. intelligence community. Critics, however, warn it could blur lines between foreign intelligence gathering and domestic law enforcement—a boundary carefully maintained for decades.
FBI’s Unusual Public Pushback
In an unusually candid letter sent to Congress last week and obtained by The New York Times, the FBI stated it “strongly opposes” the bill, calling the proposed shift “operationally unworkable” and “a risk to national security.”
The letter, signed by senior FBI leadership, emphasized that the bureau’s dual role as both investigator and intelligence collector is essential for detecting and disrupting espionage, sabotage, and other threats on U.S. soil.
“Counterintelligence is not just about collecting secrets—it’s about building cases, working with prosecutors, and protecting American citizens under the rule of law,” the letter read.
Gabbard’s Rising Influence
Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman and 2020 presidential candidate, was confirmed as DNI earlier this year amid bipartisan support. Known for her non-interventionist foreign policy views, Gabbard has advocated for greater centralization of intelligence functions under the ODNI.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Gabbard was preparing to send her own letter to Congress endorsing the bill—timing that the FBI’s response appears designed to counter.
Why This Matters
The dispute goes beyond bureaucratic rivalry. It touches on foundational questions about how the U.S. balances security, civil liberties, and interagency coordination in an era of rising cyber threats, Chinese espionage, and Russian disinformation campaigns.
| Agency | Current Counterintelligence Role | Proposed Change |
|---|---|---|
| FBI | Lead domestic counterintelligence agency; conducts investigations, arrests, and prosecutions | Reduced to supporting role; loses operational authority |
| ODNI (Gabbard) | Coordinates intelligence strategy; no direct operational control | Becomes lead agency with cross-agency command |
Broader Implications
Legal scholars and former intelligence officials warn that consolidating counterintelligence under a politically appointed position like the DNI—rather than an independent law enforcement body—could politicize sensitive operations.
“The FBI’s independence is a firewall,” said Dr. Elena Ruiz, a national security fellow at Georgetown University. “Once you hand operational control to a policy-driven office, you risk turning counterintelligence into a tool of the administration.”
What’s Next?
The bill has not yet reached a floor vote in the House. Key committees, including the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, are expected to hold closed-door hearings in November 2025. Lobbying from both sides is intensifying, with former FBI directors and ex-CIA chiefs quietly weighing in.
