President-elect Donald Trump has announced Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) as his nominee for the director of national intelligence.
Gabbard served as a Democrat in the House from 2013 to 2021 where she sat on the Armed Service Committee. She is a veteran and active duty Army reservist who in recent years has switched to the Republican party and helped campaign for Trump during the 2024 race.
Shortly after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump named Gabbard as co-chair of his presidential transition team.
“For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our Country and the Freedoms of all Americans. As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, she has broad support in both Parties – She is now a proud Republican!” Trump said in a statement on Wednesday.
He added, “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength.”
President Donald J. Trump announces @TulsiGabbard as Director of National Intelligence pic.twitter.com/LNPQV3dwbR
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 13, 2024
Back in 2020, Gabbard unsuccessfully ran for president against Joe Biden and Harris during the Democratic primary. She is known for her non-interventionist foreign policy views.
During the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Gabbard blamed the Biden administration’s decision to not stop Ukraine from joining NATO for Russia’s brutal invasion. Moreover, she argued against economic sanctions on Russia by claiming it would increase gas prices for Americans.
As the director of national intelligence, Gabbard would oversee 18 spy agencies and would be responsible for preparing Trump’s daily intelligence briefing every morning.
Gabbard famously sparked controversy in 2017 by touring war-torn Syria and met with dictator Bashar al-Assad at the time he was violently putting down the opposition in the country. Gabbard would years later declare, “Assad is not the enemy of the United States because Syria does not pose a direct threat to the United States.”
