Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard ordered the termination and security clearance revocation of intelligence employees linked to explicit chatrooms on the NSA’s “Intelink” messaging platform.
The directive, issued Tuesday, follows an investigation into claims that agency personnel used the platform for inappropriate discussions under the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Chat logs obtained by the conservative Manhattan Institute revealed discussions on gender-reassignment surgery, artificial genitalia, hormone therapy, and polyamory, reportedly involving members of the NSA, Defense Intelligence Agency, and U.S. Naval Intelligence. Gabbard condemned the behavior as an “egregious violation of trust” and vowed accountability.
Following the leak, the NSA confirmed it was “actively investigating” potential abuses. The controversial chats were linked to DEI-focused employee resource groups, which sources claim had been co-opted by activists. Gabbard framed the crackdown as just the beginning of broader efforts by the Trump administration to restore professionalism in the intelligence community.
