Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who recently joined the Republican Party, has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as the director of national intelligence. This high-profile role would require Senate confirmation and would put her in charge of overseeing 18 intelligence agencies, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA, with a budget exceeding $70 billion.
Gabbard’s political journey has been marked by significant transitions and controversial statements. She first entered politics at 21, becoming the youngest person ever elected to the Hawaii State Legislature in 2002. She later served in Congress from 2013 to 2021, becoming the first Hindu representative in the House. Initially championing liberal causes like government-run healthcare and gun control, she ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 before endorsing Joe Biden.
In 2022, Gabbard left the Democratic Party, criticizing it as an “elitist cabal of warmongers” and subsequently became a Fox News contributor and vocal supporter of Donald Trump. She officially joined the Republican Party less than a month ago.
Her nomination has sparked significant criticism, particularly regarding her statements about international conflicts. During her 2019 presidential campaign, she faced scrutiny for receiving favorable coverage from Russian state media and her perceived support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. She notably met with Assad in 2017 and expressed skepticism about his regime’s involvement in chemical weapons attacks, despite Trump’s condemnation.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Gabbard has made controversial statements that have drawn criticism. On the day of Russia’s invasion, she suggested the war could have been prevented if the US had recognized Russia’s “legitimate security concerns” about Ukraine joining NATO. She also claimed the existence of US-funded biolabs in Ukraine that could potentially “release and spread deadly pathogens,” a statement Republican Senator Mitt Romney characterized as “Russian propaganda.”
Democratic Virginia Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, strongly criticized the nomination, calling Gabbard “ill-prepared and unqualified” and accusing her of trafficking in conspiracy theories and cozying up to dictators like Assad and Putin.
Russian media has interpreted her nomination as potentially complicating Washington’s relations with Ukraine. A Rossiya 1 correspondent suggested her appointment “does not bode well for Kyiv,” highlighting her past criticisms of the Biden administration and calls for dialogue with Russia.
Gabbard will require Senate confirmation to assume the role of director of national intelligence, a position that would give her oversight of a vast intelligence infrastructure and a substantial budget.
