Tulsi Gabbard was sworn in as director of national intelligence (DNI) at the White House on Wednesday following her confirmation vote in the Senate.

Although Gabbard enjoyed the support of most Republicans, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell sided with Democrats in opposing her. 

McConnell: Gabbard is not "prepared to assume this tremendous national trust"

According to Breitbart, McConnell justified the move in a statement, saying that Gabbard's record makes her "unworthy of the public's highest public trust."

MCCONNELL on his no vote on Gabbard. pic.twitter.com/gLnDH51MvH

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) February 12, 2025

"The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is a key participant in the process that informs every major national security decision the President makes," he pointed out.

"In my assessment, Tulsi Gabbard failed to demonstrate that she is prepared to assume this tremendous national trust," the Kentucky lawmaker insisted.

McConnell faces outrage from conservatives on social media

"The nation should not have to worry that the intelligence assessments the President receives are tainted by a Director of National Intelligence with a history of alarming lapses in judgment," he declared.

McConnell then went on to accuse Gabbard of only acknowledging "the value of critical intelligence collection authorities when her nomination appeared to be in jeopardy."

Breitbart pointed out that McConnell's decision to speak out against Gabbard's confirmation was met with condemnation from conservatives online, including political commentator David J. Freeman.

"Mitch McConnell voted against Tulsi Gabbard's nomination," Freeman wrote in a social media post. "This geriatric f--k needs to be removed from the Senate."

McConnell joins with Democrats in opposing the nomination of RFK Jr.

Gabbard is not the only Trump nominee whom McConnell has failed to support, as he once again joined with Senate Democrats on Thursday to oppose Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services.

"I will not condone the re-litigation of proven cures, and neither will millions of Americans who credit their survival and quality of life to scientific miracles," McConnell said in an apparent reference to Kennedy's history of skepticism regarding certain vaccines.

"Individuals, parents, and families have a right to push for a healthier nation and demand the best possible scientific guidance on preventing and treating illness," the former Senate majority leader admitted.

"But a record of trafficking in dangerous conspiracy theories and eroding trust in public health institutions does not entitle Mr. Kennedy to lead these important efforts," he stressed.