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On Wednesday, President-elect Donald Trump announced a surprising and controversial choice for the Director of National Intelligence (DNI): former Democratic congresswoman and Army veteran, Tulsi Gabbard. This appointment has raised eyebrows due to Gabbard’s limited experience in intelligence and her unconventional foreign policy views.
Background and Political Career of Tulsi Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard, who is now a proud Republican after leaving the Democratic Party in 2022, served as a Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii from 2013 to 2021. Born in the U.S. territory of American Samoa, Gabbard was raised in Hawaii and spent a part of her childhood in the Philippines. She was first elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives at the age of 21 but had to leave after one term when her National Guard unit deployed to Iraq.
Gabbard holds the distinction of being the first Hindu member of the House and the first American Samoan elected to Congress. She took her oath of office on the “Bhagavad Gita,” a Hindu devotional work. During her four terms in Congress, she was known for challenging her party’s leadership and was an early supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 Democratic presidential primary run.
Military Service and Intelligence Background
Gabbard has a military career spanning over two decades, including deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. She enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003 and completed her basic training between legislative sessions. In July 2004, she was deployed for a 12-month tour in Iraq, where she received a Combat Medical Badge for her participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.
In 2007, she graduated from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at Ft. McClellan, Alabama, as the first woman to finish as the distinguished honor graduate in the school’s 50-year history. Gabbard later served in Kuwait, training counterterrorism units, and is currently a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Despite her extensive military service, Gabbard lacks the typical intelligence experience of past DNI officeholders. She served for two years on the House Homeland Security Committee but did not hold any senior government roles in intelligence.
Personal Life and Transition
Gabbard is married to cinematographer Abraham Williams. Her father, Mike Gabbard, is a state senator who initially was a Republican but later switched to the Democratic Party. Gabbard’s decision to leave the Democratic Party and join the Republican Party was seen as a significant shift in her political alignment. She has been a frequent critic of the Democratic Party, describing it as “completely unrecognizable” and dominated by an “elitist cabal of warmongers” and “woke” ideologues.
Trump’s Statement and Support
President-elect Trump praised Gabbard in his announcement, highlighting her dedication to the country and her fearless spirit. “For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedoms of all Americans,” Trump said. “As a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, she has broad support in both parties — she is now a proud Republican!” Trump expressed confidence that Gabbard will “bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community, championing our constitutional rights, and securing peace through strength”.
Trump’s announcement also noted Gabbard’s transition from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party, citing her admiration for Trump’s leadership and his ability to transform the Republican Party into “the party of the people and the party of peace”.
Role of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI)
The Director of National Intelligence is a critical position that oversees the National Intelligence Program and advises the president on national security matters. The DNI is responsible for preparing the president’s daily intelligence briefing and coordinating the activities of 18 spy agencies. This role requires a deep understanding of intelligence operations and the ability to provide unbiased and accurate information to the president.
Controversies and Criticisms
Gabbard’s appointment has sparked significant controversy due to her lack of formal intelligence experience and her history of embracing conspiracy theories. She has been criticized for her excessive credulity regarding claims by autocrats hostile to the United States. For example, in 2017, she met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a secret trip to Syria, which drew fire from both sides of the aisle in Congress. Gabbard also questioned US intelligence findings on chemical weapons attacks in Syria, aligning her views with those of Russian officials who backed Assad.
In 2022, Gabbard repeated Kremlin claims that US-funded labs in Ukraine were developing biological weapons, a assertion that was widely criticized as false Russian propaganda. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) termed her comments as “treasonous lies” that could cost lives.
Tulsi Gabbard’s Russia Connection
Gabbard’s views on Russia and its leaders have been particularly contentious. She has been accused of parroting Russian propaganda and showing a high tolerance for conspiracy theories. This has raised concerns about her ability to provide objective and credible intelligence advice to the president.
International Reactions
The international community has reacted with skepticism to Gabbard’s appointment. Allies are concerned that her unconventional views could lead to a reduction in intelligence sharing between the U.S. and its partners. For instance, there are fears that even close allies like Israel might be hesitant to share sensitive information due to Gabbard’s history of aligning with Russian narratives.
Senate Confirmation Process
Gabbard’s appointment requires Senate confirmation, a process that is likely to be contentious. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has already indicated that he has several questions about her qualifications and views. Despite the potential opposition, Gabbard is expected to face a relatively smoother confirmation process due to the Republican majority in the Senate.
Impact on the Intelligence Community
As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard will play a crucial role in shaping the U.S. intelligence community and advising the president on critical national security issues. Her appointment reflects a broader shift in Trump’s administration towards more isolationist and non-interventionist policies, which could significantly impact U.S. global operations and relationships with allies.
Conclusion
Tulsi Gabbard’s appointment as Director of National Intelligence marks a significant and controversial move by President-elect Donald. While Gabbard brings a unique blend of military and political experience to the role, her limited intelligence background, alignment with Russian narratives, and history of embracing conspiracy theories are likely to face intense scrutiny. As the Senate prepares for her confirmation hearings, the intelligence community and international allies are watching closely to see how this appointment will shape U.S. national security and foreign policy in the coming years.
News Articles and Reports
- “Tulsi Is a Uniquely Bad Choice for Director of National Intelligence” by Mother Jones:
- “Donald selects Tulsi as director of national intelligence” by PBS:
- “Former Democratic Rep. Gabbard is Donald pick for director of national intelligence” by ABC News:
- “Donald taps former Rep. Gabbard to be director of national intelligence” by CBS News:
Video Coverage
- “Gabbard chosen as Director of National Intelligence | LiveNOW from FOX”:
Official Websites and Documents
- Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI):
- National Intelligence Strategy of the United States: