US Election 2024

Gabbard says 9/11 likely could have been prevented if not for intelligence ‘stovepiping’

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence, recently highlighted the issue of government “stovepiping” during a hearing regarding the 9/11 attacks. Gabbard suggested that the tragic event could have been prevented if there had been better communication and sharing of intelligence among government agencies.

During the hearing, Republican Sen. Roger Wicker raised the issue of intelligence failure surrounding 9/11 and asked Gabbard if she believed stovepiping played a role in the lack of communication. Gabbard agreed, noting that information collected by agencies like the FBI and CIA was not being shared effectively, leading to missed opportunities to prevent the attack.

She emphasized that the stovepiping of information occurred at various levels within the government, from the highest ranks to the lowest. Gabbard pointed out that if there had been better integration and sharing of intelligence, the horrific attack on 9/11 could have potentially been avoided.

Wicker also expressed concerns about the potential for a similar stovepipe issue in the future, especially as Gabbard planned to streamline the DNI office by eliminating redundancy and increasing efficiency. He questioned whether these changes could inadvertently lead to a repeat of the communication breakdowns that occurred in 2001.

Gabbard acknowledged the importance of addressing the problems that existed in 2001 and reassured Wicker that she was committed to ensuring effective communication and collaboration within the intelligence community. She expressed her concerns about unnecessary bureaucratic layers contributing to stovepiping and emphasized the need for a fresh perspective to address these issues.

As a former Democratic representative from Hawaii who transitioned to becoming an independent and then a Republican, Gabbard has a unique background that she brings to the role of DNI. Despite facing some challenges in securing majority support from the Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard remains focused on fulfilling the purpose of the ODNI and addressing critical issues like stovepiping to enhance national security.

See also  Biden, Harris head to battered southeastern US after Hurricane Helene | Weather News

Overall, Gabbard’s testimony at the hearing shed light on the importance of effective intelligence sharing and collaboration to prevent future security threats. Her commitment to addressing stovepiping and improving communication within the intelligence community reflects her dedication to ensuring the safety and security of the United States.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button