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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
World
Chelsie Napiza

Who Is Elise Stefanik? Trump's Fiercest Israel Defender in Congress Now Tipped to Lead America's Entire Spy Network

A Republican senator's public endorsement of Elise Stefanik to lead America's intelligence apparatus has reignited scrutiny over her decade-long record as Congress's most outspoken advocate for Israel.

Senator Jim Banks of Indiana posted on X on 22 May 2026 that Stefanik 'would make a great replacement for Tulsi as DNI,' calling her 'easily confirmable,' hours after outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced her resignation. The DNI post carries cabinet-level authority and oversees a network of 18 intelligence agencies with a budget of roughly £75bn ($100bn).

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