A fierce split has erupted at the top of America’s national security agencies as the FBI pushed back against plans to expand Tulsi Gabbard’s authority.
The bureau warned Congress that giving Gabbard control over counterintelligence operations would be a mistake.
The letter, obtained by the New York Times, shows the FBI “strongly” opposed the proposal, citing serious risks to national security.
Officials said the unsigned letter had the backing of FBI Director Kash Patel before being sent to lawmakers.
Patel’s note “vigorously disagree[d] with” the plan and warned it could “cause serious and long-lasting damage to US national security.”
Gabbard’s office issued a joint statement with the FBI, claiming that they are working together to strengthen counterintelligence efforts.
“The ODNI and the FBI are united in working with Congress to protect the safety, security, and freedom of the American people,” Gabbard’s spokesperson said.
An intelligence official told the Daily Mail the FBI’s letter was a preemptive response to an ODNI process document and part of routine interagency coordination.
The House proposal would have placed nearly all counterintelligence functions under Gabbard’s control, sparking alarm across the intelligence community, according to the Daily Mail.
Indiana Sen. Mark Warner (D), the senior member of his party on the Intelligence Committee, called the plan “misguided” and criticized the expansion of Gabbard’s office.
Since taking office, Gabbard has disbanded central units under her supervision, including teams handling election security and the National Intelligence University.
The friction escalated when Joe Kent, a staunch Gabbard ally and head of the National Counterterrorism Center, investigated the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kent reportedly accessed FBI files to determine if foreign powers assisted Kirk’s alleged killer, raising tensions with the bureau.
Patel intervened, shutting down the investigation and arguing that Kent overstepped by using FBI materials in an ongoing case.
The move sparked a tense White House meeting with Patel, Kent, Gabbard, Vice President J.D. Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and senior DOJ officials.
Kent insisted he was performing his duties and following leads to protect national security.
Trump administration officials were concerned Kent’s probe could give Robinson’s defense lawyers leverage, suggesting multiple suspects were involved in Kirk’s death.
The clash exposes growing unease between Gabbard, her allies, and top intelligence leadership, with Patel asserting that counterintelligence authority cannot be centralized under a single office.
Patel’s decision to shut down investigations relating to Kirk’s death has put him in a predicament with many conservatives who are questioning the FBI director’s move.
Conservative commentator Candace Owens expressed her distrust of Patel for shooting down such investigations.
“It’s like Kash Patel wants to be the sole point person on this—why? I do not trust him at all,” she said.
Conservative podcaster Alex Jones also reported on Patel’s decision to dismiss investigations into Kirk’s death, primarily overseen by Gabbard.
