(The Epoch Times)—Former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been confirmed by the Senate to the position of director of national intelligence.
Gabbard was confirmed in a 52–48 vote on Feb. 12 and will move immediately to assume her responsibilities in the nation’s top intelligence role.
The confirmation follows a contentious few weeks of debate over Gabbard’s qualifications and judgment, in which lawmakers from both sides of the aisle questioned her ability to lead the intelligence community before voting along party lines.
Leading intelligence Democrats voted against Gabbard’s nomination, saying that the former congresswoman’s history of speaking favorably of hostile foreign powers raised questions about her ability to discern key intelligence matters.
Those criticisms largely center on Gabbard’s history of suggesting NATO is to blame for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and her questioning of whether chemical weapons were used in the Syrian Civil War.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) said that, though he appreciated Gabbard’s service, he believed she had demonstrated poor judgment in political and national security matters and that her nomination would ultimately weaken the nation’s intelligence community.
“Over and over and over again, when she has the opportunity to support the interests of the United States … versus those of our adversaries, time and time again she picks our adversaries,” Bennet said on the Senate floor.
Conversely, Senate Republicans championed Gabbard’s willingness to take on what they see as an entrenched bureaucratic class within the intelligence community that too frequently does not work with Americans’ best interests in mind.
“I know Tulsi will be committed to protecting all Americans at this pivotal moment in American history,” Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) said.
“The intelligence community needs to refocus on its core mission: collecting intelligence and providing unbiased analysis of that information,” he added.
Gabbard has frequently criticized the various intelligence agencies that she will now oversee, accusing the intelligence community of “bureaucratic mission-creep and empire-building” during her first confirmation hearing.
Gabbard’s nomination was highly scrutinized by both Democrats and Republicans who expressed concern over Gabbard’s desire to eliminate controversial surveillance laws and her praise of Edward Snowden, an intelligence contractor who leaked more than a million files from U.S. intelligence and defense servers before fleeing to Russia.
Members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence largely characterized Snowden as a “traitor” and said that surveillance laws were a boon to national security despite the risk they pose to American civil liberties.
Gabbard assured the committee that she would not pardon Snowden unless directed to do so by the president, but was uncomfortable describing him as a “traitor” given that Gabbard herself had been deemed a traitor by some former officials, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Instead, Gabbard said she supported Snowden’s success in exposing previously unknown programs through which the government solicited the assistance of tech companies to spy on American citizens on a massive scale.
“My statements in the past have been reflective of the egregious and illegal programs that were exposed in that leak,” Gabbard said.
Similarly, when pressed on her belief that section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) should be repealed, Gabbard said that she had reconsidered her position and now considered the law to be “essential for our national security.”
FISA 702 was notoriously abused by the FBI to solicit data on Americans more than 3.4 million times without a warrant from December 2020 to November 2021. Last month, a federal judge ruled that the warrantless search of information gleaned from the program was unconstitutional.
As such, though Gabbard said she now believed FISA 702 is an essential tool for national security, she clarified that the intelligence community has been given too long a leash and that its actions have largely worked counter to its mission.
“For too long, faulty, inadequate, or weaponized intelligence have led to costly failures and the undermining of our national security and God-given freedoms enshrined in the Constitution,” Gabbard said during her testimony to the committee last month.
“Ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people is a mandate of leadership that rises above partisan politics,” she added.
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
