Gabbard removes two top National Intelligence Council officials over politicization of community

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Tuesday reportedly dismissed two top officials on the National Intelligence Council, as part of her effort to curb the "politicization" of the intelligence community.

Gabbard in April highlighted her efforts to depoliticize the community, along with CIA Director John Ratcliffe, which included revoking security clearances of Biden administration officials and referring leakers of classified information to the Justice Department for prosecution.

The director relocated the council from the CIA, back to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), according to The Hill, and dismissed acting head of the council Mike Collins, and his deputy Maria Langan-Riekhof. 

The council is responsible for coordinating with policymakers, and is generally considered part of the “analytic arm” of the intelligence community.

“The director is working alongside President [Donald] Trump to end the weaponization and politicization of the intelligence community,” an ODNI spokesperson told The Hill.

Collins was reportedly associated with former deputy CIA director Michael Morrell, who was one of the former intelligence officials that signed a letter questioning the discovery of former first son Hunter Biden’s laptop, Fox News reported.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.