Tulsi Gabbard, the former democratic congresswoman and outspoken supporter of Donald Trump, has been nominated by the president-elect to become the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI). If confirmed, Gabbard would take on the responsibility of overseeing the U.S. intelligence community, including agencies such as the CIA, FBI, and NSA, managing a budget exceeding $70 billion and coordinating 18 agencies.
Gabbard’s nomination has raised eyebrows due to concerns about her lack of intelligence experience and past controversies, including accusations of amplifying Russian propaganda. Some critics, like Democratic congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, have voiced their opposition, citing her unqualified status and history of supporting authoritarian leaders, including Vladimir Putin and Bashar al-Assad.
Gabbard, who left the Democratic Party in 2022, became a strong supporter of Trump, endorsing him earlier this year. The president-elect praised her as a “fearless” figure who would bring valuable insight to the intelligence community. Her appointment would mark the end of Avril Haines’ tenure as DNI.
Here are five key facts about Tulsi Gabbard:
1. Early Life: Born in American Samoa in 1981, Gabbard moved to Hawaii as a child. She co-founded an environmental non-profit during her youth and earned a business degree in 2009. Her father, Mike Gabbard, is a Hawaii State Senator.
2. Military Service: Gabbard has served over two decades in the Army National Guard, including a deployment to Iraq, where she was awarded a Combat Medical Badge for participating in combat operations.
3. Firsts in Congress: Elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives at 21, Gabbard made history as the first Hindu and American Samoan member of Congress, swearing in on the Bhagavad Gita.
4. Presidential Run and Party Shift: Gabbard briefly ran for president in 2020, promoting a non-interventionist foreign policy before endorsing Joe Biden. She left the Democratic Party in 2022, citing growing disillusionment with its direction.
5. Trump’s Supporter: Gabbard joined the Republican Party in 2023, voicing her discontent with the current Democratic establishment. She has gained popularity among Trump’s supporters, positioning herself as a vocal critic of her former party.
If Gabbard is confirmed, her tenure as DNI could be marked by significant political and ideological divides, especially in the context of U.S. intelligence operations and foreign relations.
