ROOKE: Sen. Mark Warner’s Attack On DNI Election Raid Falls Flat

Democratic Virginia Sen. Mark Warner slammed Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard over her presence during the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) execution of a search warrant at the Fulton County Election Hub in Georgia on Wednesday.

Warner claimed Gabbard “has got no business interfering in elections” and warned that her actions should “concern the heck out of every American.” His attack is yet another example of Democrats ignoring clear federal statutes in an attempt to control the narrative.

Federal law explicitly assigns the DNI a leadership role in safeguarding elections from foreign exploitation. Under 50 U.S.C. § 3371d, the DNI oversees counterintelligence matters related to election security, including assessing risks to voting systems, software, voter registration databases, and other infrastructure. Warner’s claim that Gabbard has “no business” in elections also ignores 50 U.S.C. § 3024, which requires all Intelligence Community (IC) elements to provide the DNI access to necessary intelligence for oversight and integration. (Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!)

Warner’s attack frames the DNI investigation as domestic meddling, but it’s central to the DNI’s counterintelligence duties. Gabbard’s presence at the Fulton County raid falls within her authority as DNI. In fact, it would arguably be negligent of her office if she chose not to participate in the investigation into potential voting system and election security vulnerabilities.

ODNI routinely collaborates with other agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the FBI, to protect critical voting infrastructure. None of this is new. President Joe Biden signed E.O. 13848 in September 2022 declaring a national emergency regarding foreign interference in U.S. elections. The order tasked the DNI with assessing foreign threats to election security. President Donald Trump extended the E.O. in August 2025.

Intelligence and public reporting confirm how vulnerable U.S. electronic voting systems are to foreign exploitation. Warner’s baseless attacks feel like a deliberate attempt to sow fear and distrust among Americans over a lawful attempt to investigate potential election security issues.

There are plenty of reasons to attack the IC over mishandled investigations. Why choose one where he’s clearly incorrect? Ultimately, it’s Warner’s misinformation that should concern Americans, as it distracts from the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and safeguarding our elections against potential adversaries. (ROOKE: Former Senator Goes Off On His Own Generation And Party)

In 2020, only 59 percent of voters said U.S. elections were run and administered at least somewhat well, according to Pew Research. While that number rose to 88 percent in 2024, Americans still remain unsure about election security.

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