By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-trump-says-gabbard-joined-fbi-search-at-fulton-county-election-center-at-bondis-insistence Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: Trump says Gabbard joined FBI search at Fulton County election center at Bondi's 'insistence' Politics Feb 5, 2026 6:07 PM EST President Donald Trump offered a shifting explanation for the presence of Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, at an FBI search last week of the main elections hub in Fulton County, Georgia. Watch the clip in the video player above. Gabbard had said in a letter to lawmakers earlier this week that she attended the search at the request of Trump. But Trump on Thursday, speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast, asserted that Gabbard "went in at Pam's insistence." That's a reference to Attorney General Pam Bondi. WATCH: Trump says he 'probably should make it' to heaven in wide-ranging remarks at National Prayer Breakfast Gabbard's arrival in Georgia raised immediate questions among Democratic officials because the FBI search of the election center was a law enforcement, not intelligence, activity and because the position of national intelligence director is typically focused on foreign threats rather than domestic concerns. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has said that he does not know why Gabbard was there and that she is not part of the FBI investigation. He's also said that she is an important part of the administration's efforts to protect election integrity. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
President Donald Trump offered a shifting explanation for the presence of Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, at an FBI search last week of the main elections hub in Fulton County, Georgia. Watch the clip in the video player above. Gabbard had said in a letter to lawmakers earlier this week that she attended the search at the request of Trump. But Trump on Thursday, speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast, asserted that Gabbard "went in at Pam's insistence." That's a reference to Attorney General Pam Bondi. WATCH: Trump says he 'probably should make it' to heaven in wide-ranging remarks at National Prayer Breakfast Gabbard's arrival in Georgia raised immediate questions among Democratic officials because the FBI search of the election center was a law enforcement, not intelligence, activity and because the position of national intelligence director is typically focused on foreign threats rather than domestic concerns. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has said that he does not know why Gabbard was there and that she is not part of the FBI investigation. He's also said that she is an important part of the administration's efforts to protect election integrity. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now