Washington – President-elect Donald Trump has selected former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard for the position of director of national intelligence, a significant role overseeing the nation’s intelligence agencies and serving as the primary adviser to the president on intelligence matters.
Gabbard, a military veteran with over 20 years of service, does not possess the conventional intelligence background typical for previous directors. She made headlines when she left the Democratic Party in 2022 and endorsed Trump earlier this year, gaining popularity among his base.
A few notable facts about Gabbard include her unique distinction as the first Hindu elected to Congress. Born in American Samoa, raised in Hawaii, and spending part of her childhood in the Philippines, Gabbard entered politics at a young age, securing a seat in Hawaii’s House of Representatives at just 21. She had to step down after one term due to her National Guard unit being deployed to Iraq.
Subsequently, Gabbard was elected to Congress, making history as the first Hindu and the first American Samoan to serve in the House, taking her oath of office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita. Throughout her four terms, she distinguished herself by challenging the leadership of her party and gaining recognition for her early endorsement of Senator Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Democratic primary.
Gabbard is married to cinematographer Abraham Williams, and her father, Mike Gabbard, is a state senator who transitioned from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party.
Gabbard made an attempt for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, advocating for a progressive agenda and opposing U.S. military operations abroad. She leveraged her military background to argue that U.S. interventions in the Middle East had led to regional instability and endangerment of American lives. During a primary debate, she notably criticized Kamala Harris for her prior actions as a prosecutor.
Eventually, Gabbard withdrew from the race and endorsed President Joe Biden, only to leave the Democratic Party two years later, branding it as an elitist organization dominated by warmongers and overly liberal ideologies. She transitioned to independent status, actively supported various Republican candidates, contributed to Fox News, and initiated her own podcast.
In the realm of Trump supporters, Gabbard has emerged as a recognized figure. She officially endorsed Trump this year, gaining traction within his supporter base. Frequently seen with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who also challenged President Biden before shifting to an independent stance and endorsing Trump, Gabbard exemplified Trump’s claims of appealing to a broader political audience.
In a rally in North Carolina, Gabbard announced her formal shift to the Republican Party, reiterating her belief that the current Democratic Party was unrecognizable compared to what it once was. Trump’s presidential transition team has assigned roles to both Gabbard and Kennedy, potentially influencing both staffing and policy decisions should he return to office.
Although Gabbard has extensive military experience as a member of the Army National Guard — having served in Iraq and Kuwait, and awarded a Combat Medical Badge for her contributions during combat operations — her lack of senior government experience sets her apart from past directors. She served on the House Homeland Security Committee for two years but has not held roles similar to those of her predecessors.
Avril Haines, the current director, was confirmed to the position in 2021 after holding numerous key national security roles and was notably the first woman to serve in this position. Gabbard will be tasked with possibly carrying out Trump’s vision for an overhaul of the intelligence community, which he has long regarded with skepticism, alleging past interference in his administration and political campaigns.
Trump’s campaign rhetoric has characterized U.S. intelligence agencies as part of a “deep state,” a term he uses to describe civil servants across various agencies whom he perceives are not fully loyal. “We will clean out all of the corrupt actors in our national security and intelligence apparatus, and there are plenty of them,” Trump declared while outlining his plans for a second term.
Established in 2004 in response to the intelligence failures surrounding the September 11 attacks, the office of the director of national intelligence was designed to enhance interagency cooperation. This office has played a crucial role in addressing disinformation from adversaries such as Russia, China, and Iran, particularly regarding threats to democratic processes and voting integrity in the lead-up to past elections, alongside efforts to combat cyber threats, terrorism, and espionage.