DNI Tulsi Gabbard Eliminates DEI Programs, Slashes Spending in First 100 Days
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is making waves in Washington after announcing major cuts to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across the intelligence community during President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office.
Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Gabbard, 44, shared that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) has been streamlined by approximately 25% since she assumed leadership.
“During President Trump’s first 100 days in office, I eliminated DEI programs and policies at ODNI, and revoked security clearances and access to classified information for numerous individuals who abused public trust for political purposes,” Gabbard told DailyMail.com.
“We are saving taxpayers millions and ensuring President Trump’s policymakers receive unbiased intelligence assessments to ensure the safety, security, and freedom of the American people,” she added.
ODNI insiders speaking with DailyMail.com said that Gabbard has already dismantled all DEI initiatives within the agency, cut more than $150 million in expenditures, and shut down a series of controversial employee communication platforms known informally as the “NSA sex chats.”
The agency has also reportedly revoked security clearances from a number of high-profile figures—including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and others known for their opposition to President Trump.
In another exclusive, DailyMail.com revealed that Gabbard closed down the NSA’s internal “Pride Glossary,” a document described by staff as “filled with sexually explicit DEI terminology unrelated to protecting American security.” The glossary had been accessible on internal intelligence servers and was a remnant of DEI-era policy under the Biden administration.
Additionally, ODNI has ended all recruitment programs based on criteria other than professional merit, following a Trump executive order signed earlier this year.
Critics of the prior administration had raised concerns about intelligence community hiring practices. According to a still-active 2022 article titled “Visibility Matters in the Intelligence Community” on the ODNI website, DEI was a major factor in hiring decisions at the time. The article reads:
“ODNI seeks to hire and retain a diverse workforce to ensure that all Americans who want to join the ranks and serve their country are able to do so, without fear of retribution for living their truth.”
It continued, “As the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the leader of all 18 agencies, ODNI is committed to lead the IC in advancing an inclusive, diverse, equitable and safe workplace environment for employees to thrive.”
ODNI officials also disclosed that at least three individuals have been referred to the Department of Justice for prosecution related to unauthorized leaks, with more referrals reportedly pending.
In a recent interview on The Megyn Kelly Show, Gabbard expressed shock over the extent of DEI entrenchment within the agency when she arrived.
“When I came in here… DEI was such a priority, that it was baked into the incentive structure for people to advance professionally,” the former Hawaii congresswoman told Kelly.
She continued, “And I would imagine it was very similar across the federal government, where some employees told me that they were put in a position where they had to spend half of their time working on DEI initiatives in order for them to be able to advance professionally.”
Gabbard emphasized that removing these programs isn’t just symbolic—it’s critical to national security.
“When we look at why this was a priority for the President, this is not some superficial thing,” she said. “There are national security implications to what the Biden administration was doing in centering almost their entire administration around DEI initiatives.”
The rollback is also proving fiscally beneficial. According to ODNI staff, eliminating DEI programs is saving taxpayers about $20 million per year.
The agency’s Human Capital Office was also disbanded, contributing to the estimated $150 million in annual savings reported by DailyMail.com.