President Trump Cracks Down on Intelligence Sharing After Iran Fallout, Gabbard Sidelined

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The Trump White House is limiting classified intelligence sharing with Congress after damaging leaks exposed contradictions in the administration’s account of the Iran airstrikes. President Trump had claimed U.S. forces obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities, but early intelligence assessments suggested otherwise. The fallout has triggered a clampdown ahead of a classified Senate briefing Thursday, where CIA Director John Ratcliffe will represent the intelligence community in place of embattled National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard.

Tulsi Gabbard Sidelined Amid Iran Facts Dispute

Gabbard has remained largely sidelined since publicly testifying in March that Iran was not actively building a nuclear weapon. Her assessment, though consistent with prior intelligence, undercut Trump’s narrative and strained her standing within the administration. White House officials insist Gabbard is still contributing behind the scenes, but her exclusion from Thursday’s Senate briefing signals otherwise.

The decision to tighten intelligence sharing has drawn sharp backlash from lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer demanded the White House reverse the restrictions, citing Congress’s legal oversight role in national security. “The administration has no right to stonewall Congress,” Schumer said Wednesday.

The internal tensions come as Trump doubles down on claims of success. Initial reports, including those from CNN and confirmed by U.S. military officials, indicated the strikes delayed Iran’s nuclear program by months but fell short of full destruction. Ratcliffe has since refined the administration’s stance, stating the strikes caused “severe damage” while stopping short of Trump’s earlier language.

Hegseth Back in Trump’s Graces…For Now

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s role remains closely watched. Despite earlier concerns over Hegseth’s preference for unsecured social messaging apps, he accompanied Trump to the NATO summit in The Hague this week, signaling a possible return to the president’s favor. Hegseth will also co-lead a Thursday Pentagon news conference to counter criticism of the mission and “fight for the dignity of our great American pilots,” as Trump announced on Truth Social.

Meanwhile, military officials like Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine have maintained more measured language, saying damage assessments are ongoing but early indicators point to “extremely severe damage and destruction.”

Congress Pushes Back on Restricted Access

Meanwhile, tensions between the White House and Congress are escalating ahead of Thursday’s closed-door Senate briefing and Friday’s House session. Democrats argue the administration is violating its legal duty under the War Powers Resolution, which requires timely congressional notification of military actions.

The Trump team contends the strikes were justified under constitutional authority to protect U.S. citizens and advance national security. As the administration works to control the narrative, Iran’s nuclear capabilities and the integrity of intelligence sharing remain in political crosshairs.

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