By Warren P. Strobel and Ellen Nakashima
Senior Democratic lawmakers accused Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Monday of violating the law with personnel moves they said threaten independent oversight of the 18 intelligence agencies she oversees. In a letter, they provided new details of a standoff between Gabbard and her congressionally mandated inspector general.
The Washington Post reported last week that Gabbard had installed a top adviser, reporting to her, in the Intelligence Community Inspector General’s office, a highly unusual move that former U.S. officials said could undermine its integrity. Gabbard also has fired the acting general counsel in the inspector general’s office.
“We request that you immediately cease your illegal interference into the ICIG’s operations,” the lawmakers wrote Gabbard, using the office’s acronym. “The ICIG must remain independent of political influence, and we will continue to oppose any attempt to interfere with its work, or silence its conclusions.”