The only Republican to buck Trump and vote against Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation to serve as Director of National Intelligence

The only Republican to buck Trump and vote against Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation

Former Democrat-turned-Trump ally Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed to serve as the eighth Director of National Intelligence. Gabbard has been one of the most controversial nominees put forward for cabinet confirmation due to her past comments surrounding government whistle-blower Edward Snowden, as well as those that showed sympathy for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syria’s former leader Bashar al-Assad. No Democratic senators voted for Gabbard’s confirmation, and they were joined by an unlikely colleague from the other side of the aisle: former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about how the president felt seeing that McConnell had voted against Gabbard’s nomination, and she said that it was disappointing for any member of the GOP to vote against their nominees. “We are greatly disappointed in any Republican who willfully chooses to vote against the president’s exceptionally qualified cabinet nominees and picks to lead his ‘America First’ administration,” said Leavitt from the podium.

Fears of electoral retaliation are palpable within the Republican caucus

Sen. McConnell may feel less pressure to vote against the Trump pick because of his long tenure in the Senate and the fact that he may choose not to seek re-election for his Kentucky Senate seat. The threat of facing a primary challenge has startled many members of the GOP caucus and strong-armed many to fall in line with the president’s controversial picks. For that reason, controversial nominees like Pete Hegseth, who was confirmed as Secretary of Defense, as well as Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—who the Senate will vote on today—to serve as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, have been able to secure confirmation.

Iowa Senator Joni Ernst had raised concerns about Hegseth’s confirmation, but after she was threatened with a primary challenge, she said that she had a change of heart after speaking personally with the nominee. Additionally, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, a physician, was critical of Kennedy’s nomination. Though he spoke publicly about his doubts that Kennedy should serve in the role, he did vote in favor of his confirmation at the committee level. Later today, we will see if he also votes to confirm him when the chamber makes its final ruling.