Leadership Shakeup: Tulsi Gabbard’s Impact on National Intelligence Council Explored

Envelope with "YOU'RE FIRED!" and pointing finger.

Tulsi Gabbard fires top intelligence officials at the National Intelligence Council in a bold move to combat what she calls the “weaponization” of intelligence, raising questions about the future of intelligence gathering under the new administration.

Quick Takes

DNI Tulsi Gabbard dismissed NIC Acting Chairman Mike Collins and Deputy Maria Langan-Riekhof after a controversial assessment about Venezuelan gangs.
The firings followed an intelligence assessment that contradicted Trump administration claims about coordination between the Tren de Aragua gang and Venezuela’s Maduro regime.
Gabbard has ordered the relocation of the NIC from CIA headquarters to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
The dismissed officials had decades of experience in the intelligence community, potentially impacting institutional knowledge.
Gabbard is actively pursuing leaks within the intelligence community, referring two cases to the DOJ for criminal investigation.

Shake-up at the National Intelligence Council

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has dismissed two senior officials from the National Intelligence Council (NIC) in what she describes as an effort to counter the “weaponization” of intelligence. The officials removed from their positions are Acting NIC Chairman Mike Collins and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof, both longtime intelligence professionals with decades of experience.

Collins has nearly three decades in the intelligence community, while Langan-Riekhof served for 33 years and was previously recognized as one of the DNI’s “Exceptional Analysts” after her appointment in 2019 during the Trump administration.

Gabbard Fires Top Intel Officials, Cracks Down on ‘Deep State’ in Bold First Move – https://t.co/cKuKNfAmy8

— Ceil Utnik (@UtnikCeil39401) May 15, 2025

Controversial Assessment Triggers Dismissals

The dismissals reportedly followed an NIC assessment that contradicted claims made by the Trump administration regarding the Tren de Aragua (TDA) gang’s relationship with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The declassified intelligence document acknowledged that while Venezuela allows TDA to operate within its borders, the Maduro regime likely does not cooperate with or direct TDA operations in the United States. This conclusion directly challenged the administration’s position on Venezuelan involvement with criminal organizations operating across the U.S. border, creating tension between intelligence professionals and political leadership.

Restructuring Intelligence Operations

As part of her reorganization efforts, Gabbard has ordered the NIC’s relocation from CIA headquarters to office space within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). This physical move represents a significant shift in the organizational structure of U.S. intelligence operations. The NIC serves as the “analytic arm” of the intelligence community, responsible for coordinating intelligence analysis for U.S. policymakers across various agencies. This relocation may signal Gabbard’s intention to exert more direct control over intelligence analysis and reduce the influence of established intelligence agencies in the policymaking process.

Potential Impacts on Intelligence Quality

The removal of seasoned intelligence professionals raises questions about the potential impact on the quality and independence of intelligence assessments moving forward. Both Collins and Langan-Riekhof brought extensive experience to their roles, with Collins having connections to former CIA deputy director Michael Morell. The loss of this institutional knowledge and expertise could affect the NIC’s ability to provide comprehensive, unbiased analysis at a time when accurate intelligence is critical for national security decision-making. The intelligence community now faces the challenge of maintaining analytical rigor while adapting to new leadership priorities.