Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard dismissed two high-ranking intelligence officials on Tuesday amid a broader crackdown targeting leaks, political bias and what officials describe as “deep state” resistance to the Trump administration’s agenda.
Mike Collins, who had been serving as the acting chair of the National Intelligence Council and his deputy, Maria Langan-Riekhof, were both terminated from their roles, according to senior intelligence officials.
The National Intelligence Council is responsible for coordinating strategic intelligence assessments with policymakers and is considered a key part of the intelligence community’s analytical functions.
Officials allege that Collins was the subject of whistleblower complaints accusing him of political bias and attempting to undermine the incoming Trump administration.
Collins was also said to be closely linked to former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morrell, who played a role in organizing a public letter signed by former intelligence officials in 2020 that suggested Hunter Biden’s laptop was likely part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
Langan-Riekhof, meanwhile, has been described by whistleblowers as a major proponent of diversity, equity and inclusion programs and “radically opposed to Trump,” according to intelligence officials, per Fox News.
In conjunction with the firings, Gabbard relocated the National Intelligence Council from the CIA to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), a move that officials say is aimed at improving oversight and reducing politicization.
A CIA spokesperson confirmed that while the NIC has always been part of the ODNI, the physical relocation back to the ODNI was seen as logical.
ODNI officials have acknowledged that eliminating entrenched political actors within the intelligence community is a long-term process.
“It takes time to weed them out and fire them,” one official told Fox News, adding that the agency is moving to close down non-essential offices suspected of harboring leakers.
Gabbard’s moves follow a string of efforts to combat unauthorized disclosures and political interference within the intelligence community.
In April, she established the Director’s Initiative Group (DIG), which has been tasked with investigating internal weaponization, exposing leaks and declassifying information deemed in the public interest.
The ODNI has already referred three individuals for prosecution over alleged leaks of classified information to major media outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times.
“Those who leak classified information will be found and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Gabbard said in a prior statement.
Officials confirmed that 12 additional intelligence professionals are under investigation for suspected leaks.
Two CIA detailees were recently terminated after allegedly disclosing classified material related to the Tren de Aragua gang to the media without proper authorization.
The shake-up also follows Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe’s broader initiative to revoke the security clearances of officials from the Biden administration, a move first highlighted in April as part of a campaign to depoliticize intelligence operations.
Amid the internal shake-ups, several critical ODNI positions remain vacant, including roles such as principal deputy director, intelligence inspector general and general counsel.
Officials have voiced frustration over delays in Senate confirmations, calling these appointments essential to implementing the Trump administration’s agenda.
Gabbard has also held accountable intelligence personnel involved in misconduct, including those participating in s*xually explicit NSA chatrooms and continues to pursue disciplinary action for any unauthorized leaks of classified material.
