Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, has decided not to appoint Daniel Davis, a critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, to a senior position responsible for presidential briefings. This decision follows backlash from members of President Trump's coalition regarding the proposed appointment.
Davis, a senior fellow at a Washington think tank skeptical of U.S. military interventions, was under consideration for the role of deputy director for mission integration. This position is significant as it oversees the President’s Daily Brief, which includes key intelligence assessments for the White House and top policymakers.
The controversy surrounding Davis's potential appointment prompted Gabbard to reconsider her decision, as confirmed by several officials. Davis is affiliated with Defense Priorities, a think tank with ties to Charles Koch, which advocates for a cautious approach to U.S. military involvement in the Middle East and supports Trump's call for a cease-fire in Ukraine.
This situation has underscored a growing divide in foreign policy perspectives within the Trump administration, which includes both hawkish Republicans and officials like Gabbard who are more skeptical of interventionist policies.
The Anti-Defamation League expressed strong opposition to Davis's appointment, labeling it "extremely dangerous" and accusing him of downplaying the severity of Hamas's recent attacks while undermining U.S. support for Israel.
Some conservative lawmakers have also voiced concerns, fearing that Davis's views on the Gaza conflict could weaken the administration's stance on Israel. Former intelligence officials criticized Davis's selection, arguing that his positions diverge significantly from mainstream Republican ideology.
Supporters of Davis defended his record, stating that he does not harbor antisemitic sentiments and is cautious about military actions that do not align with U.S. interests. They noted that his critiques of Israel resonate with some liberal Democratic viewpoints, particularly regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Davis has previously condemned the idea of forcibly removing Palestinians from Gaza, labeling such actions as "ethnic cleansing." He has also characterized U.S. support for Israel's military actions as a "stain" on the nation's character.
While Gabbard has been relatively quiet on the Gaza conflict recently, her stances align with some of Davis's views, particularly regarding American involvement in Ukraine and concerns about the Syrian government's stability. Davis has shown support for Gabbard's foreign policy positions on social media.
In the previous administration, the head of mission integration played a critical role in conducting intelligence briefings at the White House, a responsibility that has also been held by senior CIA analysts with extensive experience in the field.