Trump calls Tulsi Gabbard 'a little bit different', backs her role despite 'softer' Iran stance

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, March 29, during a press gaggle. During the interaction, he answered questions on several topics. These included his administration, the ongoing war with Iran, and his overall strategy.

At one point, he was asked about Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and her remarks about Iran's nuclear enrichment capabilities. Trump did not directly criticize her, but he also did not fully agree with her views. He said her approach was “a little bit different” from his own thinking.

Trump acknowledges differences but stands by Tulsi Gabbard 

Speaking about intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, Donald Trump said her views do not fully match his, especially on Iran. However, he made it clear that he still supports her serving in the role and does not see the difference as a problem.

“She’s a little bit different in her thought process than me, but that doesn’t make somebody unable to serve,” the commander-in-chief said. He stressed that his own position remains firm, noting, “I’m very strong in the fact that I don’t want Iran to have a nuclear weapon.”

Trump warned about the potential risk Iran posed, saying, “If they had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it immediately.” At the same time, he suggested Gabbard had a softer approach, noting, “She’s probably a little bit softer on that issue, but that’s okay, most people are.”

The POTUS also claimed that Iran is under heavy pressure and may eventually comply. “They are decimated right now... they’re going to give up nuclear weapons,” he said, adding that the country could still recover if it changes course. However, he issued a stark warning: “If they don’t do that, they’re not going to have a country.”

Trump further pointed to strong backing within his political base, saying the issue has wide support and referencing favorable polling among Republicans.

Tulsi Gabbard’s written testimony to Senate committee raised questions 

Tulsi Gabbard said in written testimony to the Senate Intelligence Committee on March 18 that Iran has not taken steps to rebuild its nuclear program after earlier strikes. She stated that “there have been no efforts to rebuild their enrichment capability,” and said the damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities was significant. However, she did not read this part of her testimony aloud during the public hearing, as per Time.

Her comments reflected the intelligence community’s assessment of the situation, and they appeared to differ from the position of Trump, who has said Iran posed an urgent nuclear threat. “If we didn’t hit within two weeks, they would’ve had a nuclear weapon,” Trump told a meeting with congressional leaders on March 4. “When crazy people have nuclear weapons, bad things happen.”

Iran has consistently denied that it is pursuing nuclear weapons, and assessments on the issue remain a key part of ongoing policy discussions.