A fierce internal battle over control of President Donald Trump’s daily intelligence briefing has erupted, as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard attempts to strip the CIA of its decades-long dominance, potentially reshaping presidential decision-making on global conflicts.
At a Glance
- DNI Tulsi Gabbard is moving control of the President’s Daily Briefing (PDB) from CIA to ODNI
- The CIA has traditionally prepared and delivered the PDB since the 1960s
- Gabbard has relocated PDB staff from CIA headquarters to ODNI offices
- The shift comes amid escalating wars in the Middle East and Europe
- CIA officials are reportedly unhappy with the erosion of their influence
Gabbard’s Bold Move Upsets the Balance
A high-stakes power struggle is unfolding within the U.S. intelligence community as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard seeks to reassert the ODNI’s authority over the President’s Daily Briefing (PDB), a function long dominated by the CIA. According to Daily Mail, Gabbard’s move to physically shift the PDB production and oversight from CIA headquarters in Langley to her ODNI office has triggered major unrest at the CIA.
“Whoever controls the information the President sees, controls the President,” one intelligence official bluntly told the outlet. Since its inception in the 1960s under President Lyndon Johnson, the PDB has largely been crafted by the CIA’s Directorate of Analysis. Despite reforms in 2004 establishing the ODNI’s oversight role, the CIA retained operational control—until now.
Watch a report: Inside the Fight for Trump’s Intelligence Briefing.
War, Influence, and Presidential Access
The timing of Gabbard’s push is particularly striking. With conflicts in Iran-Israel, Russia-Ukraine, and increased Chinese military activity, intelligence shaping presidential decisions is more crucial than ever. Sources say Gabbard, flanked by FBI Director Kash Patel and CIA Director John Ratcliffe during recent Senate hearings, has been attending nearly all of Trump’s security meetings amid the escalating crises.
“She’s been in every meeting,” one White House official confirmed to Daily Mail, noting Gabbard’s daily presence at the White House since the Middle East conflict intensified. Meanwhile, some suggest CIA Director Ratcliffe has sought to maintain his advisory role to Trump despite the shifting dynamic.
CIA Resists, ODNI Consolidates
Internally, CIA staff—particularly in the Directorate of Analysis—are reportedly unsettled by the change. “They’re used to being the final say,” an official remarked. The CIA declined to comment to the Daily Mail.
The ODNI, however, argues that centralizing the PDB under its authority ensures a more integrated intelligence product, pulling from all 18 agencies rather than favoring CIA content. “This will yield a more cohesive and holistic intelligence product,” an ODNI official stated.
As Trump’s second term navigates mounting geopolitical crises, the outcome of this intelligence turf war could decisively shape U.S. foreign policy in the critical months ahead.
