DNI Tulsi Gabbard Applauds Israel-Iran Ceasefire, Credits Trump’s “Herculean Effort”
In a striking show of unity at the highest levels of U.S. intelligence and leadership, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Monday night praised the newly announced ceasefire between Israel and Iran as a “historic” achievement—one she credits largely to President Donald Trump’s leadership.
Speaking just hours after President Trump announced the unexpected breakthrough, Gabbard commended the administration’s handling of what had rapidly become one of the most dangerous escalations in the Middle East in years.
“This ceasefire agreement is historic,” Gabbard said. “It is the result of a herculean effort by President Trump, who worked tirelessly to bring both sides to the table even as missiles were flying and tensions reached their peak.”
Inside the White House as Tensions Rose
Gabbard, who was sworn in as Director of National Intelligence earlier this year, had been actively involved in high-level discussions at the White House over the past week. According to senior administration sources, she was present in the Situation Room and the Oval Office for briefings as the U.S. launched a strike on Iran’s nuclear sites and Iran retaliated with missiles targeting the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
Her visible presence during this pivotal period highlights her evolving role in shaping U.S. intelligence and foreign policy under the Trump administration.
From Skeptic to Strategist
Gabbard’s praise for Trump marks a notable shift. Just last week, the president expressed irritation over her earlier congressional testimony in March, during which she stated there was “no clear evidence” Iran was actively building a nuclear weapon. Trump dismissed her remarks as “wrong,” underscoring a temporary rift between the two leaders.
But on Monday night, Gabbard echoed Trump’s latest assessment of the situation, acknowledging that the U.S. airstrike had a strategic impact on Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“The operation was a resounding success,” she said in a statement to ABC News. “It obliterated key Iranian capabilities needed to quickly assemble a nuclear weapon.”
A Ceasefire Amid Controversy
The ceasefire, which comes after days of cross-border strikes and mounting global concern, was announced by Trump late Monday. He later claimed that both Iran and Israel approached him “almost simultaneously” in a bid for peace.
While official details of the ceasefire agreement have not been made public, the move has temporarily paused what appeared to be a fast-moving path toward broader conflict.
Gabbard’s endorsement lends credibility to the administration’s narrative that the military strikes were not only effective but instrumental in bringing Iran to the table.
From “No War With Iran” to National Security Lead
Gabbard’s journey from anti-war presidential candidate to America’s top intelligence official continues to attract scrutiny. In 2020, during her bid for the Democratic nomination, she famously sold campaign t-shirts that read “No War With Iran.” Her platform was heavily grounded in opposition to U.S. military interventionism.
Yet now, from her perch as Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard is playing a key role in overseeing the very intelligence assessments that guided the decision to strike Iran—a move critics say contradicts her prior stance.
Still, she maintains that the goal remains peace and long-term stability in the region.
“This is not about war for war’s sake,” Gabbard said. “It’s about strategic deterrence and creating the conditions for lasting peace.”
What Comes Next?
As intelligence agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, the Biden-era echoes of diplomacy and military pressure appear to be reshaped under Trump’s bold, often unpredictable foreign policy approach.
For now, Gabbard and Trump seem aligned in celebrating a fragile yet momentous pause in hostilities—one that, if it holds, could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East for years to come.
