Inside the Situation Room Drama: Tulsi Gabbard’s Role During Trump’s Iran Strikes
The drama around Tulsi Gabbard’s presence during President Trump’s recent strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites has been heating up — and the White House finally set the record straight.
On Saturday night, the U.S. launched precision strikes against three Iranian nuclear facilities, marking a major escalation in tensions. But almost immediately, questions swirled: Was Tulsi Gabbard even in the room when the decisions were made?
Photos released by the White House’s Rapid Response Team on Sunday answered that question — yes, Gabbard was there. The images show President Trump’s intelligence team in the White House Situation Room on June 21, 2025, with Gabbard seated right next to CIA Director John Ratcliffe.
This photo drop came after a night of rampant speculation and confusion. Earlier images from the White House showed President Trump wearing his signature MAGA hat, surrounded by top officials — Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, State Secretary Marco Rubio, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine — but notably, Tulsi Gabbard was missing from these shots.
So what gives? White House insiders quickly confirmed to major outlets like CBS News, Fox News, and Semafor that Gabbard was indeed in the Situation Room — just not in those earlier photos. Alongside her, several other key officials such as Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt were present but not pictured.
The Daily Beast reached out to the White House for further comment but did not immediately receive a response.
The Backstory: Why Was Gabbard’s Presence Such a Big Deal?
This wasn’t just a casual photo mix-up. Tulsi Gabbard’s involvement struck a chord because of her public stance on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, which has consistently contradicted the Trump administration’s narrative.
Back in March, Gabbard testified before Congress, stating something that made headlines: “The intelligence community continues to assess that Iran is not building a nuclear weapon, and Supreme Leader Khomeini has not authorized the nuclear weapons program that he suspended in 2003.”
Her cautious tone clashed sharply with President Trump’s aggressive messaging. Trump has repeatedly insisted, most recently right before the strikes, that “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also joined the chorus, claiming Iran’s nuclear program posed an existential threat to Israel — just after his own military strike.
Trump didn’t hold back in dismissing Gabbard’s earlier testimony. “I don’t care what she said,” he remarked last week. “I think they were very close to having them.”
Then, doubling down in a Friday briefing, Trump told reporters bluntly that both Gabbard and his intelligence community were “wrong” about Iran’s nuclear status.
Tulsi’s Reaction: From Skeptic to Supporter
Interestingly, Gabbard pivoted quickly once the attacks took place.
She took to X (formerly Twitter) to push back against what she called “dishonest media” who were “intentionally taking my testimony out of context and spreading fake news as a way to manufacture division.”
Gabbard clarified, “America has intelligence that Iran is at the point that it can produce a nuclear weapon within weeks to months, if they decide to finalize the assembly.”
This sudden alignment with the administration’s stance surprised some observers, considering her earlier skepticism.
Digging Deeper: The 2020 Anti-War Post
But Gabbard’s past hasn’t faded quietly into the background.
Social media users also resurfaced a 2020 post from when she was a Hawaii lawmaker running for the Democratic presidential nomination. In that post, she fiercely criticized President Trump’s approach to Iran, writing:
“To all who voted for Trump bc of his antiwar rhetoric, it’s time to realize he lied to u. Stand with me against Trump’s Iran War!”
This earlier anti-war message contrasts sharply with her current position during the latest military escalation, adding another layer to the controversy.
What Does This All Mean?
This whole episode highlights the complex and sometimes contradictory nature of politics and intelligence around Iran’s nuclear program.
Here are some key takeaways:
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Photos don’t always tell the full story. Gabbard was there during the strike briefing — even if not in every official photo.
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Political narratives can shift fast. Gabbard moved from questioning Iran’s nuclear threat to supporting the administration’s stance within weeks.
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Public opinion matters. Gabbard’s 2020 anti-war stance still resonates with some voters, complicating her current position.
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Tensions with Iran remain high. This strike was a major event with serious geopolitical consequences.
What’s Next?
With such high stakes, the fallout from this strike and the political drama around it won’t disappear anytime soon.
The White House has demonstrated a willingness to control the narrative — selectively releasing photos and statements to manage public perception. Meanwhile, Gabbard’s shifting stance may continue to draw scrutiny from both supporters and critics alike.
For now, the big questions remain:
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How will Iran respond?
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What will happen to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East?
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And how will this affect the 2026 election cycle, especially with figures like Gabbard in the spotlight?
Why Should You Care?
If you follow U.S. politics or international relations, this situation is a prime example of how quickly things can change behind closed doors — and how much the media and politicians shape what the public sees and hears.
It’s also a reminder that pictures are just one part of the story — and sometimes, you need to dig a little deeper to understand what’s really going on.
In Summary:
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Tulsi Gabbard was in the Situation Room during the Iran strikes despite initial photo confusion.
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She publicly challenged the administration’s Iran narrative in March but aligned with it after the strikes.
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Her past anti-war rhetoric still complicates her current image.
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The White House carefully managed which photos and details to release.
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This incident underscores the ongoing tension and complexity in U.S.-Iran relations.
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