On May 7, 2026, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard addressed the 2026 Independent Women’s Policy Summit in Washington, D.C. Given her current position at the tip of the IC accountability spear, it is worth reviewing DNI Gabbard’s remarks. The transcript of her speech is below.
[Transcript] – “Thank you so much for the introduction. Carrie, thank you for your leadership and all of the hard work that goes into making this day possible, and, of course, thanks to all of you for being here and for your support of the tremendous work that IWF does. I’m trying to remember what year I kind of first started getting involved. It might’ve been around the end of my time in Congress, but it’s been incredible to see the trajectory just over the last five, six years and the impact that IWF has had, and how much it has sparked and inspired people, women and girls, people all across the country, to take it upon themselves to really be the solution and confront the grave and serious and historic challenges that we are facing today. I think the focus of this summit today is around leadership, which is essential.
I have found too often in my time in politics, now that has spanned over 20-something years, my time serving in the military in different capacities, you know, the challenge and opportunity of leadership is a perpetual one. I find it now in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the Intelligence Community across the board. And too often, what I see, especially in some of our young women and girls, but even some of the moms groups that I’ve met over the years, is a concern or question around not being qualified to lead.”
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