Tulsi Gabbard has resigned as Director of National Intelligence, according to a statement released by her office on Tuesday evening. The decision, effective immediately, follows months of reported friction with the White House over intelligence priorities and resource allocation. No official reason was given, but sources close to the administration cite irreconcilable differences on data-sharing protocols with key allies.
Across the Atlantic, MI5 has initiated a formal review of intelligence-sharing agreements with the United States, a move that underscores growing unease in London over the stability of its most critical bilateral intelligence relationship. The review, confirmed by a Home Office spokesperson, will assess the handling of shared data, particularly under the Five Eyes framework, and consider implications for UK national security if Washington’s intelligence leadership remains in flux.
Gabbard’s resignation marks the first high-profile departure from the US intelligence community under the current administration. Appointed 14 months ago, she brought a controversial track record, including past meetings with foreign adversaries and criticism of US surveillance programmes. Her tenure was defined by efforts to reform the intelligence bureaucracy, but she struggled to maintain trust with career officials and congressional oversight committees. Her resignation letter thanked staff but offered no further elaboration.
The MI5 review is a significant escalation. While routine audits of bilateral agreements are standard, this timeframe suggests a direct response to events in Washington. A senior intelligence source described it as a “precautionary measure” to ensure that British assets and sources are not compromised by political instability in the US. The review is expected to take 90 days and will produce recommendations for the Home Secretary.
The Five Eyes alliance, comprising the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has been the bedrock of Western intelligence sharing since the Second World War. Any reevaluation of the US-UK pillar threatens to undermine the cohesion of this network at a time of heightened global threats, including cyber warfare and terrorism. Analysts note that the UK’s reliance on US signals intelligence is profound, but data sovereignty concerns have grown in recent years.
Gabbard’s departure does not automatically alter intelligence flows, but the MI5 review signals a loss of confidence. Diplomatic channels in Washington remain open, and officials on both sides stress the importance of continuity. However, the combination of domestic political turbulence in the US and a proactive British review introduces an element of unpredictability into the transatlantic security architecture.
The White House has not announced a successor. In the interim, the deputy director will assume operational control. Meanwhile, MI5 will proceed with its assessment, consulting with counterparts in the US intelligence community and other Five Eyes partners. The outcome could shape the future of intelligence cooperation for years to come.
This development comes as no surprise to those who track the erosion of institutional trust in Washington. The vacancy at the top of US intelligence, now paired with a formal review by a key ally, highlights the fragility of the networks that underpin Western security. The coming weeks will test the resilience of these relationships and the capacity of both governments to manage the fallout.
