Archive · 9 Jan 2026
Gabbard Excluded from Venezuela Ouster Plan
Tulsi Gabbard, who is the Director of National Intelligence, was not included in the planning to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
This is because she has always been against the US getting involved in military actions in Venezuela.
She has spoken out against this multiple times, including in 2019 and as recently as December 2025.
Some people in the White House even joked that her title, DNI, stood for 'Do Not Invite'.
However, Gabbard did provide important intelligence for the mission and praised its success.
The White House says that President Trump has full confidence in her.
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, was excluded from planning to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Gabbard has long opposed US military involvement in Venezuela, criticizing 'warmongers' in December 2025.
Senior officials reportedly had concerns about her support for the operation due to her public stance.
Gabbard provided intelligence that helped the overall mission and lauded the operation's 'flawless execution'.
The White House asserts that President Trump has full confidence in Gabbard.
- Who
- Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence
- What
- Exclusion from planning to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
- When
- Criticized in December 2025, with historical context from 2019
- Where
- United States and Venezuela
- Why
- Concerns about her support for the operation due to her public stance against US military involvement in Venezuela
Gabbard's Exclusion
Gabbard's Inclusion
Involvement in Planning
Gabbard's Exclusion
Gabbard was excluded from the planning due to her opposition to military action in Venezuela.
Gabbard's Inclusion
Gabbard provided intelligence that helped the overall mission and lauded the operation's execution.
- Person Involved
- Tulsi Gabbard
- Country Involved
- Venezuela
- Year of Criticism
- 2025
- Gabbard's Role
- Former Democratic Congresswoman, Director of National Intelligence
- Gabbard's Stance
- Against US military involvement in Venezuela
- Operation Details
- Capture and oust Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro
- White House Response
- Trump has full confidence in Gabbard
Sources
US-Venezuela Tensions: Did White House Exclude Tulsi Gabbard From Plan To Ouster Nicholas Maduro?
Tulsi Gabbard cut out from Venezuela plan, nicknamed DNI – ‘DO NOT INVITE’
US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard was kept out of planning to capture Venezuela’s Maduro: Report
