Indiana Sen. Jim Banks (R) is publicly pushing Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) as a possible replacement for outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, placing one of President Donald Trump’s closest congressional allies into the growing conversation over who could lead America’s intelligence community next.
Banks floated Stefanik’s name Thursday in a post on X following news that Gabbard would be stepping down from the role.
“Stefanik would make a great replacement for Tulsi as DNI,” Banks wrote.
The Indiana Republican argued that Stefanik’s background makes her well-suited for the position, pointing specifically to her years of experience serving on the House Intelligence Committee.
Banks also predicted that Stefanik would have little difficulty securing enough support in the Senate if Trump nominated her.
The comments quickly fueled speculation among conservatives and political observers about whether Stefanik could become a serious contender for one of the administration’s most powerful national security roles.
Prediction markets also reacted, with Stefanik’s odds reportedly increasing on platforms such as Kalshi after Banks publicly backed her.
Neither Stefanik nor the White House has confirmed whether she is under consideration.
Trump addressed Gabbard’s upcoming departure earlier this week, praising her work while announcing that Aaron Lukas would temporarily take over as acting director after she leaves office on June 30.
“Tulsi has done an incredible job, and we will miss her,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The president said Gabbard made the decision to step away due to her husband’s health battle after he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer.
In a resignation letter posted online, Gabbard thanked Trump for trusting her with the position and said she needed to focus on her family during a difficult period.
Lukas, who currently serves as Gabbard’s principal deputy, is a longtime intelligence official who previously worked in the CIA and served in national security roles during Trump’s first administration.
He will oversee the intelligence office while the administration determines its next steps.
Stefanik’s name carries major influence among Trump supporters.
The New York Republican has become one of Trump’s strongest allies in Congress and rose through GOP leadership after becoming one of his most vocal defenders, per the Conservative Brief.
Trump previously selected Stefanik for a major administration position when he nominated her in November 2024 to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Her nomination advanced through the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and appeared headed toward confirmation before Trump withdrew it in March 2025.
At the time, Trump said Republicans could not risk losing Stefanik’s House seat due to the party’s narrow majority.
Stefanik supported the decision and remained in Congress.
Banks’ comments have now revived speculation that Trump could once again look to bring Stefanik into his administration.
The Director of National Intelligence role would place Stefanik at the center of U.S. national security operations, overseeing coordination among intelligence agencies and helping deliver critical intelligence assessments to the president.
Supporters argue Stefanik’s experience on intelligence issues, loyalty to Trump’s agenda and congressional background would make her a strong choice.
Critics would likely question whether her partisan reputation could create challenges in a role traditionally focused on intelligence coordination.
For now, the White House has not announced a permanent nominee, and Stefanik’s potential selection remains speculation.
However, Banks’ endorsement has ensured that her name is now firmly part of the discussion as Trump considers his next intelligence chief.
