1. United States
2. Md.
3. Letter

A full congressional investigation into Tulsi Gabbard's conduct as Director of National Intelligence is overdue. The Washington Post's year-long investigation, backed by over 25,000 documents, reveals that Gabbard's political positions, legislative agenda, and public talking points were directed for years by Chris Butler, the reclusive leader of a secretive cult called the Science of Identity Foundation. That same influence appears to have continued into her DNI tenure — and the national security implications are serious. As DNI, Gabbard revoked security clearances for dozens of intelligence professionals, released documents that analysts say misrepresented underlying assessments, and declassified materials that Russian state media immediately amplified. Her signature phrase — "the safety, security, and freedom of the American people" — was written for her by Butler's political team in 2014. She resigned just two days after the Post reporter notified her the story was coming. Congress needs to determine whether her decisions at the nation's top intelligence post served the American people or reflected the agenda of an unaccountable outside actor with documented hostility toward U.S. intelligence agencies.