GOP Senator Floats New Name to Replace Outgoing DNI Gabbard
A Republican senator has offered up a new name for President Donald Trump to consider as a replacement for outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Jim Banks (R-Ind. ) is pushing Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.
Y. ) to step in for Gabbard, who resigned earlier this month to care for her husband, who has a rare form of bone cancer.
Banks disclosed Stefanik’s name on Thursday in a post on X after news broke that Gabbard would be stepping down from the role.
“Stefanik would make a great replacement for Tulsi as DNI,” he wrote.
The Indiana Republican argued that Stefanik’s experience and national security credentials make her a strong candidate for the position, pointing in particular to her years of service on the House Intelligence Committee
The lawmaker also predicted that, if Trump ultimately nominates her, Stefanik would be well-positioned to win confirmation in the Senate.
The remarks immediately intensified speculation among conservatives and political insiders about whether Stefanik could emerge as a leading contender for one of the administration’s most influential national security positions.
The comments also appeared to move prediction markets, where traders closely monitor potential administration appointments
Following Banks’ public support, Stefanik’s odds reportedly rose on platforms such as Kalshi as observers reassessed her chances of landing a major role in the Trump administration.
Trump addressed Gabbard’s impending departure earlier this week, praising her contributions and announcing that Deputy ODNI Aaron Lukas would temporarily assume the role of acting director after she leaves office on June 30.
Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her,” Trump wrote on Truth Social
Stefanik’s name carries significant weight inside Trump-world.
The New York congresswoman has become one of Trump’s fiercest defenders in Congress and has steadily risen through Republican leadership ranks over the last several years.
She also has a close political relationship with Trump and was previously tapped for another major administration role
In November 2024, Trump nominated Stefanik to serve as U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
The nomination advanced quickly through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and appeared on track for confirmation.
But in March 2025, Trump withdrew the nomination before a final Senate vote
At the time, Trump cited concerns about maintaining the Republican Party’s razor-thin House majority.
He argued Stefanik’s continued presence in Congress was too important to risk during a critical legislative period.
Stefanik publicly agreed with the decision and remained in the House
Now, Banks’ suggestion has reignited questions about whether Trump could once again seek to move Stefanik into a top administration post.
Unlike the UN ambassador position, however, the DNI role places an official directly at the center of U. S. intelligence operations, national security briefings and classified global threat assessments.
The office oversees coordination between America’s intelligence agencies and serves as one of the president’s top national security advisers
Stefanik’s supporters argue her committee experience and close relationship with Trump make her a natural fit.
Critics would likely question whether her highly political profile could complicate Senate confirmation or intelligence community relations.
For now, the speculation remains just that
No formal nomination process has been announced, and the White House has stayed publicly silent regarding any permanent replacement discussions, The Washington Examiner reported.
In a resignation letter posted on X, Gabbard thanked Trump for the opportunity to serve and said she was stepping away to focus on her family during the difficult time.
The White House has not publicly discussed permanent replacements beyond naming Lukas as acting DNI
Lukas, a longtime CIA officer and Gabbard’s principal deputy, previously served in intelligence roles during Trump’s first administration and is expected to temporarily oversee the office following Gabbard’s departure.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
