Trump Nearly Ousts Gabbard Over Iran Views, Stone Persuades Retention

President Donald Trump nearly dismissed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard last week over frustrations with her handling of internal administration disputes related to the ongoing conflict with Iran, but longtime adviser Roger Stone persuaded him to retain her, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions.

The episode unfolded shortly after Gabbard's testimony before Congress on U.S. threats, where she did not offer strong public support for the administration's military actions against Iran. Sources said Trump viewed her response as insufficiently aligned with his position, prompting him to question her loyalty in a private Oval Office meeting. He also expressed anger over the recent resignation of Joe Kent, Gabbard's former deputy and director of the National Counterterrorism Center, who quit in mid-March citing opposition to the war. In his resignation letter, Kent alleged that Iran posed no imminent threat and that the conflict stemmed from external pressures, including from Israel. Gabbard had defended Kent publicly and chose not to condemn his statements forcefully during her testimony, which further irritated the president.