Gabbard Rescinds Biden-Era Havana Syndrome Findings as DNI
Outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard rescinded two Biden-era assessments that downplayed foreign involvement in Havana Syndrome, citing excluded evidence and flawed methodology.
According to New York Post, the retracted Intelligence Community Assessments excluded critical evidence, mischaracterized intelligence sources to suppress alternative conclusions, omitted essential information regarding source quality, and relied on what Gabbard’s office described as an ethically flawed medical study. The announcement was made Thursday in a memo to congressional leaders.
The two assessments in question—declassified versions released in March 2023 and January 2025—had both concluded that foreign adversary involvement was very unlikely in the anomalous health incidents reported by hundreds of U.S. intelligence and diplomatic personnel since 2016. Instead, the Biden-era findings suggested pre-existing medical conditions, conventional illnesses, and environmental factors were more probable causes.
The Republican-led House Intelligence Committee had demanded the Office of the Director of National Intelligence retract these findings in January, citing mounting evidence pointing to microwave weapons as the source of the mysterious illness.
Rick Crawford, the Arkansas Republican who chairs the House Intelligence Committee, celebrated the decision on social media. He characterized the original assessments as flawed, fraudulent, and manufactured, alleging they caused significant harm to affected personnel. Crawford charged that the assessments were deliberately created to discredit American intelligence officers and diplomatic staff while impeding their access to medical care.
Gabbard’s office stated that future assessments concerning Havana Syndrome will adhere to rigorous ethical standards, incorporating all available intelligence sources and engaging a broader range of experts.
Over 1,500 Cases Reported Worldwide
Havana Syndrome symptoms vary by individual but typically include ear pain, memory lapses, fatigue, severe migraines, dizziness, cognitive impairment, and hearing loss. More than 1,500 cases have been documented among U.S. personnel deployed across dozens of countries since the condition first appeared among diplomats stationed in Cuba.
Multiple sources have previously indicated to New York Post that U.S. intelligence agencies internally suspect Russian involvement in the attacks. In a significant development reported in March, CBS News revealed that undercover American operatives secretly purchased a miniaturized microwave weapon from a Russian criminal network for approximately 15 million dollars as part of a Pentagon-backed investigation into Havana Syndrome’s origins.
The classified weapon was subsequently tested on animals at a U.S. military laboratory, producing neurological injuries consistent with those observed in Havana Syndrome patients, according to the CBS News report.
Gabbard’s Departure and Leadership Transition
The retraction of the Havana Syndrome assessments may represent one of Gabbard’s final official actions as Director of National Intelligence. She is departing her position next week to care for her husband, who is battling cancer.
President Trump has appointed Bill Pulte, currently head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting Director of National Intelligence. Earlier Thursday, Trump announced that Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, would be nominated for the permanent DNI position.
With information from New York Post
