President Donald Trump raised eyebrows late last year when he nominated former Hawaii Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to serve as director of national intelligence (DNI).

While some have questioned Gabbard's chances of getting the job, one member of the Senate just said that she will vote to confirm the former lawmaker. 

Collins: "I understand the critical role the DNI plays in the Intelligence Community"

According to Breitbart, that announcement came in the form of a statement put out on Monday by Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

SUSAN COLLINS backs @TulsiGabbard pic.twitter.com/984OC2Qg3o

— Matthew Foldi (@MatthewFoldi) February 3, 2025

"After extensive consideration of her nomination, I will support Tulsi Gabbard to be the Director of National Intelligence," Collins declared.

"As one of the principal authors of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 that established this coordinating position, I understand the critical role the DNI plays in the Intelligence Community," the senator continued.

Collins say Gabbard shares her "vision of returning the agency to its intended size"

Collins went on to assert that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence "has become far larger than it was designed to be."

The Maine lawmaker further stressed that Gabbard is on board with her "vision of returning the agency to its intended size."

As she drew to a close, Collins concluded by stating that she looks "forward to working with Ms. Gabbard to strengthen our national security."

Collins is not the only Republican senator to recently come out in favor of Gabbard's confirmation, as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham did so as well this past weekend.

Graham: "I've actually served in a Reserve unit with Tulsi"

"I've actually served in a Reserve unit with Tulsi," Newsweek quoted Graham as telling "Fox News Sunday" host Shannon Bream, adding, "I've always liked her. I think a lot of her criticism against her has been really mean and off-base."

The magazine recalled how prior to her confirmation hearing, Graham had expressed skepticism about Gabbard when speaking with NBC News.

Specifically, Graham pointed to Gabbard's controversial 2017 meeting with then-Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and raised questions over her stance on Edward Snowden, a computer analyst who revealed details about the federal government's surveillance program before fleeing to Russia.

"I tend to vote for almost everybody in both parties, but I want to see how the hearing goes. Why did you go to Syria? What did you do regarding Assad?" he said.