Senior aides defend DNI Tulsi Gabbard, accuse Wall Street Journal of misleading reporting
A sharp public clash has erupted between aides to Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard and The Wall Street Journal, after the newspaper published a report centered on a highly classified whistleblower complaint alleging wrongdoing by the Trump Cabinet official.
Gabbard’s team has forcefully rejected the report, calling it misleading, politically motivated, and designed to create controversy where none exists.
What the WSJ Whistleblower Report Claims:Tulsi Gabbard
According to the Wall Street Journal, the whistleblower complaint involving Gabbard is so highly classified that it is reportedly locked in a secure safe, with access restricted due to national security concerns.
The Journal noted that:
The whistleblower’s attorney has not reviewed the complaint
Congress has not been given access, a situation described as having “no known precedent”
The intelligence community’s acting inspector general (IG) reviewed the allegations
The report further stated that while allegations directly tied to Gabbard were deemed not credible, the IG could not reach a determination on a separate allegation involving another federal agency.
Whistleblower Attorney Raises Concerns
Tulsi Gabbard
The whistleblower’s attorney, Andrew Bakaj, reportedly sent a letter in November accusing Gabbard of preventing Congress from reviewing the complaint by not providing security clearance guidance.
Bakaj also told the Journal he was never informed that the inspector general had made credibility determinations regarding any part of the complaint.
These claims added fuel to the controversy and drew renewed attention to the handling of classified whistleblower materials within the intelligence community.
Gabbard’s Chief of Staff Fires Back
Gabbard’s chief of staff, Alexa Henning, publicly slammed the Wall Street Journal in a post on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the outlet of burying critical facts.
“As if the @WSJ needed to provide more examples of how it’s utter trash,” Henning wrote.
She emphasized that no wrongdoing was found and argued the paper downplayed that conclusion by placing it deep within the article.
“Even the Biden-era IC Inspector General concluded the whistleblower’s allegations against DNI Gabbard were not credible,” Henning added.
Spokesperson Calls Report ‘Disgusting Clickbait’
DNI spokesperson Olivia Coleman echoed the criticism, labeling the Journal’s reporting as the “most disgusting” clickbait she has encountered.
Coleman described the complaint as a politically motivated effort that relied on extreme classification to:
Create false intrigue
Manufacture a misleading narrative
Complicate lawful communication with Congress
She accused the whistleblower of weaponizing their position within the intelligence community to spark controversy rather than seek accountability.
Wall Street Journal Responds with Silence
As of publication, The Wall Street Journal has not issued a public response to the criticism from Gabbard’s aides. The Hill, which reported the backlash, confirmed the Journal did not immediately comment when contacted.
Why This Clash Matters
Tulsi Gabbard
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions surrounding whistleblower protections, classified intelligence oversight, and media accountability in Washington. While the inspector general reportedly dismissed the core allegations against Gabbard, the secrecy surrounding the complaint continues to raise questions and fuel political debate.
For now, Gabbard’s office maintains that the matter is settled, while critics argue transparency remains incomplete.
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Gabbard Aides Slam WSJ as ‘Utter Trash’ but Whistleblower Questions Persist
A heated political and media confrontation has emerged after aides to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard publicly attacked The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) over its reporting on a highly classified whistleblower complaint. While Gabbard’s team insists the allegations are baseless, the secrecy surrounding the complaint has fueled renewed debate and skepticism in Washington.
What the Wall Street Journal Reported
According to a report published by the Wall Street Journal 👉 https://www.wsj.com
the whistleblower complaint involving Gabbard is considered so highly classified that it is allegedly secured in a safe due to national security risks.
The report revealed several unusual details:
The whistleblower’s attorney has not reviewed the complaint
Congress has not been granted access
The situation was described as “without known precedent”
These disclosures added a negative sentiment, raising concerns about transparency, oversight, and accountability within the intelligence community.
Inspector General Finds No Credible Evidence Against Gabbard
In a positive development for Gabbard, the article acknowledged that the acting inspector general (IG) concluded allegations directly involving the DNI were not credible after reviewing her responses.
However, the IG reportedly could not make a determination regarding a separate allegation tied to another federal agency, leaving lingering uncertainty and political debate.
Whistleblower Attorney Challenges Handling of Complaint
Whistleblower attorney Andrew Bakaj claimed in a November letter—reviewed by the Journal—that Gabbard failed to provide security clearance guidance that would allow Congress to review the complaint.
Bakaj also stated he was never informed that the IG had reached any credibility determinations, adding to the negative narrative surrounding the case and how classified complaints are managed.
Gabbard’s Chief of Staff Launches Fierce Counterattack
Gabbard’s chief of staff, Alexa Henning, responded aggressively on X (formerly Twitter) 👉 https://x.com
calling the Wall Street Journal’s reporting “utter trash.”
Henning accused the publication of burying critical facts deep within the article and emphasized that no wrongdoing was found.
“Even the Biden-era IC Inspector General concluded the whistleblower’s allegations against DNI Gabbard were not credible,” she wrote.
This response reinforced a positive sentiment among Gabbard’s supporters, framing the report as misleading and politically driven.
DNI Spokesperson Labels Report ‘Disgusting Clickbait’
Adding to the backlash, Gabbard spokesperson Olivia Coleman condemned the article as the most “disgusting” piece of clickbait journalism she had seen.
Coleman argued the whistleblower weaponized their role by hiding allegations within highly classified materials to:
Create false intrigue
Push a manufactured narrative
Obstruct congressional review
Her remarks underscore a broader negative sentiment toward media credibility, while defending the administration’s handling of classified intelligence.
the Wall Street Journal did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the sharp criticism from Gabbard’s aides, leaving the dispute unresolved in the public eye.
Bigger Picture: Transparency vs. National Security
Tulsi Gabbard
This controversy highlights the ongoing struggle between national security secrecy and government transparency. While Gabbard’s office stresses that the allegations were dismissed, critics argue the lack of congressional access raises valid concerns.
The clash reflects both positive confidence in official findings and negative public doubt over how whistleblower complaints are handled at the highest levels of government.