Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard criticized Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Friday after he referred to the shooting of two West Virginia National Guard soldiers in Washington, D.C., as an "unfortunate accident." (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Thompson said during the hearing, "Madam Secretary, you and the gentleman from NCTC (Joe Kent) reference the unfortunate accident that occurred with the National Guardsman being killed."
Noem responded, "You think that was an unfortunate accident? It was a terrorist attack."
Gabbard said the guard members’ "direct mission was to keep the American people safe," and that the exchange between Thompson and Noem "points to the egregious and longstanding problem."
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The director said leaders on both sides of the political aisle "have refused to identify this Islamist terrorist threat for exactly what it is, which is one of the reasons why we find ourselves in the position that we're in today."
Thompson was asked Friday on "CNN News Central" by co-host Kate Bolduan if he stood by his assertion that the shooting was an "unfortunate accident."
"Oh, absolutely not," the Democratic representative replied. "And obviously, let me be clear, I was moving toward the discussion that [Kristi Noem] could not blame Joe Biden on the situation because she approved this person's asylum application and that's where we were headed and so the issue is..."
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U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testifies before the House Committee on Homeland Security in the Cannon House Office Building on December 11, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Bolduan then interrupted Thompson, asking him, "You're saying you misspoke?"
"Oh, absolutely. Absolutely," he responded.
Fox News Digital’s Marc Tamasco contributed to this report.
Michael Sinkewicz is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to michael.sinkewicz@fox.com
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gabbard-blasts-democrat-bennie-thompson-calling-national-guard-shooting-unfortunate-accident