Trump Ally: Gabbard Rift Over Iran Was ‘Setup’ By Intelligence Community

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has faced significant criticism in the media, with speculation suggesting that she has been sidelined from crucial decision-making processes at the White House.

However, retired Army Lt. General Michael Flynn, who had a brief tenure as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser during his initial term and previously served as the director of the Defense Intelligence Agency under then-President Barack Obama, asserts that Gabbard was “set up” by the intelligence community.

This assertion follows recent media reports that have begun to emphasize her testimony to Congress in March, during which she stated that Iran was not pursuing a nuclear weapon.

In a discussion with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, Flynn implied that Gabbard had received misleading or incomplete information from the intelligence community prior to her congressional testimony.

I believe that specific testimony, in which she discussed Iran not possessing nuclear weapons, to me… and I firmly believe this, I will state it here: That was a setup,” he remarked. “She was only a few weeks into her role. She relied on what the intelligence, the most knowledgeable individuals in our intelligence community, indicated about the situation, and she presented it. Until she can delve deeper and ascertain what is truly happening and assemble a trustworthy team around her… Below the upper echelon of individuals at the top — the Cabinet officials, the few individuals who were appointed to the positions — the majority of those individuals were appointed by Obama, and subsequently reinforced by the Biden administration.

“I am endeavoring to contribute positively,” the general stated. “Tulsi Gabbard is effective.”

During her testimony on March 25 to a Senate panel, Gabbard remarked, “The (intelligence community) continues to evaluate that Iran is not developing a nuclear weapon.”

A crucial aspect of the testimony that many in the media have overlooked is when she included this qualification: “Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile is at its highest levels and is unprecedented for a state without nuclear weapons.”

“Iran will likely persist in its efforts to…

In a post on X on Friday, Gabbard elaborated that her remarks were “misinterpreted” by media outlets.

“The deceitful media is deliberately distorting my testimony and disseminating false information to create division. America possesses intelligence indicating that Iran is capable of producing a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, should they choose to complete the assembly. President Trump has made it clear that this cannot occur, and I concur,” she stated in the post, which also included a video of her full testimony.

Her clarification followed President Donald Trump’s assertion to the media that Gabbard was “incorrect” in her evaluation of Iran’s nuclear intentions.

“She’s incorrect,” the president remarked on Friday when questioned about Gabbard’s testimony from March. “My intelligence community is mistaken.”

Vice President JD Vance has also defended Gabbard, asserting that she is a “vital” member of the president’s national security team.

“DNI Gabbard is a veteran, a patriot, a steadfast supporter of President Trump, and a crucial part of the coalition he formed in 2024,” he told Fox News Digital on Wednesday.

“She is an indispensable member of our team, and we appreciate her relentless efforts to safeguard America from foreign threats,” he added.