Gabbard, an Army Reserve officer whose antiwar views are seen as sympathetic to Moscow, is considered an unconventional choice to lead U.S. spy agencies.

From blaming NATO for the Ukraine war to echoing Russian propaganda, Gabbard has ruffled feathers inside the spy agencies she could soon lead.

Among the risks, say current and former intelligence officials and independent experts, are that top advisers could feed the incoming president a distorted view of global threats based on what they believe will please him and that foreign allies may be reluctant to share vital information.