Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona has publicly declared his opposition to former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's nomination for Director of National Intelligence. His concern focuses on what he sees as a lack of sound judgment and decision-making, which are important qualities for the role responsible for presenting intelligence to the president.

"This position decides what intelligence gets in front of the president. It’s critical to our national security and the safety of all of our families," Kelly stated, according to a release on his official Senate website. He also criticized Gabbard's past statements and skepticism towards assessments from the intelligence community as "dangerous."

The skepticism that Kelly regards with concern was notably highlighted during the nomination hearing, where Gabbard's previous comments on Assad's use of chemical weapons against Syrians were brought into question. Rather than allaying these concerns, Gabbard's responses during the hearing reinforced the Senator's apprehension.

Moreover, Senator Kelly pointed to Gabbard's past advocacy for pardon of Edward Snowden and her desire to eliminate certain intelligence tools. He confirmed his intention to vote against her confirmation and has urged others within the committee to follow suit, emphasizing the importance of working with intelligence leaders to ensure the nation's security.