Gabbard's Intel Makeover Will Trump Finally Trust His Briefings?

Tulsi Gabbard Eyes Major Overhaul of Trump's Intelligence Briefings: A "Fox News-Style" PDB?

President Donald Trump's relationship with the U.S. intelligence community has been, to put it mildly, complex. Now, under the leadership of National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, significant changes to the way the President receives his daily intelligence briefing – the President's Daily Brief (PDB) – are being considered.

According to multiple sources with direct knowledge of the discussions, Gabbard is exploring innovative approaches to revamp the PDB, aiming to build Trump's trust in the material and align it with his preferred methods of information consumption.

The Million-Dollar Question: A Video Briefing Modeled After Fox News?

One of the more unconventional ideas being floated is the creation of a video version of the PDB, styled to resemble a Fox News broadcast. The concept, as described by sources, involves potentially hiring a Fox News producer and on-air personality to present the daily intelligence updates. The goal? To capture and maintain Trump's attention through a familiar and engaging format.

Key Points to Consider:

• Current Format: The PDB is currently a digital document including text, graphics, and images, delivered daily to the President and key advisors.
• Trump's PDB Consumption: Since his inauguration, Trump has reportedly received the PDB an average of less than once a week.
• Historical Comparison: During the same period of their first year in office, former President Joe Biden received 90 PDBs; Trump received 55; and former President Barack Obama received 63.
• Gabbard's Rationale: She believes the lower frequency may be due to Trump’s preference for different formats and his historical distrust of the intelligence community.

Official Responses: Denials and Affirmations of Reform

The news has sparked strong reactions. DNI Press Secretary Olivia Coleman dismissed the reporting as "laughable, absurd, and flat-out false," labeling it "fake news." White House Spokesman Davis Ingle echoed this sentiment, calling the reporting "libelous garbage."

However, a source familiar with internal DNI deliberations stated that there was "bipartisan consensus" during Gabbard's confirmation process that the PDB required "serious reform," and that she is committed to ensuring the President receives timely, relevant, and objective intelligence.

Beyond the Format: Content Tailoring and a Potential Move

Discussions also include tailoring the PDB's content to better reflect Trump's policy interests, with potentially more focus on economic and trade issues and less on the war in Ukraine. It's also been reported that Gabbard plans to move the PDB preparation office from the CIA headquarters to the national intelligence director’s office, potentially giving her office greater control.

The Human Element: Addressing Concerns of Politicization

These proposed changes come amid scrutiny of Gabbard's leadership and concerns about the potential politicization of intelligence. Recent firings within the National Intelligence Council, following an assessment that contradicted Trump's claims about a Venezuelan criminal gang, have fueled these anxieties.

Looking Ahead: A Shifting Landscape of Presidential Intelligence

While tailoring the PDB to a president's preferences is not unprecedented, the suggestions being considered under Gabbard's leadership represent a potentially significant departure from tradition. Whether these changes will ultimately build trust and improve the flow of critical intelligence to the President remains to be seen. The ongoing debate underscores the delicate balance between presenting information effectively and maintaining the objectivity and integrity of the intelligence process. The question now is, what the future holds for the President's Daily Brief?

Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gabbard-considering-ways-revamp-trumps-intelligence-briefing-rcna209805