A tense moment inside the White House nearly led to a major shake-up in the intelligence community, as President Donald Trump reportedly considered removing his director of national intelligence before being talked out of it by a longtime confidant.
According to the New York Post, a report from Axios states that Trump grew frustrated following a March 18 congressional hearing in which Tulsi Gabbard declined to state whether Iran posed an imminent nuclear threat directly.
The response did not sit well with the president, who soon began floating the idea of replacing her.
In the days that followed, Trump reportedly consulted with cabinet officials and advisers, weighing whether it was time to make a change at the top of the intelligence apparatus.
The situation took a turn when Roger Stone — a longtime ally who has known Trump for decades — got involved.
Stone said he received a call from the president and used the opportunity to make the case for keeping Gabbard in her role.
“Fortunately, I acted in time,” Stone wrote on X, suggesting his intervention helped halt the effort to remove her after right-wing commentator Laura Loomer allegedly tried to convince Trump to fire the former lawmaker.
During the conversation, Stone reportedly argued that Gabbard had handled herself appropriately during her testimony and remained a loyal member of the administration. He also pointed to potential political fallout if she were dismissed.
Among his concerns, Stone warned that firing Gabbard could spark a damaging media cycle and elevate her standing among anti-interventionist voters.
He also suggested such a move might inadvertently boost her national profile, potentially positioning her as a strong contender in a future presidential race.
Stone further cautioned that replacing Gabbard could complicate the political landscape for JD Vance, whom he described as Trump’s preferred successor.
The intervention appeared to have its intended effect.
Soon after, the administration publicly signaled support for Gabbard. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back on the idea that her position was in jeopardy.
“President Trump believes Tulsi Gabbard is doing an excellent job on behalf of the administration,” Leavitt said.
“She is a key member of his national security team,” she added.
While the reported episode unfolded largely behind the scenes, it highlights the internal debates shaping national security leadership — and the influence of trusted voices within Trump’s inner circle.
