Tulsi Gabbard’s selection for the role of national intelligence director under President-elect Trump marks a turn in her dynamic political journey, which began alongside progressive Senator Bernie Sanders.
Following a distinguished military career and four terms representing Hawaii in the House, Gabbard pursued the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. She ran on a progressive agenda and opposed U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts. After leaving the Democratic Party two years later, she endorsed Trump for president in August 2024.
At the time of her endorsement, Gabbard commended Trump for his diplomatic efforts, such as engaging with adversaries and prioritizing peace over conflict. She also criticized the Biden administration, accusing it of escalating conflicts and bringing the U.S. closer to the threat of nuclear war.
Trump praises Gabbard’s commitment to constitutional values in announcement
In his announcement, Trump praised Gabbard for her fearlessness and commitment to constitutional rights, emphasizing her potential to strengthen the Intelligence Community. If confirmed, Gabbard will lead the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, overseeing all 18 intelligence agencies and advising the president on national security issues.
Still an Army reservist, Gabbard has a background that includes serving in a medical unit in Iraq, a formative experience that influenced her stance on military intervention. Despite her critical position on the Biden administration’s policies, especially regarding Ukraine, Gabbard has a history of criticizing both parties.
Her previous opposition to Trump included her condemnation of the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani, which she described as an illegal act of war. As she transitions into this new role, Gabbard’s political evolution is particularly.
First elected to the House in 2012, Gabbard quickly became a key figure in the progressive movement, endorsing Sanders during his 2016 presidential campaign. Her resignation as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee to support Sanders marked a pivotal moment in her career.
Her endorsement of Sanders, coupled with her strong opposition to interventionist policies, was clear in her statement explaining her exit from the DNC. Despite her progressive leanings, Gabbard eventually voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, illustrating her nuanced political position.
In 2019, Sanders defended Gabbard after Hillary Clinton insinuated that Russia was backing her as a third-party candidate. Sanders rejected the notion, calling it “outrageous” to label Gabbard a foreign asset.
Over the past few years, Gabbard’s departure from the Democratic Party was prompted by several factors, including foreign policy disagreements and her disillusionment with what she described as “cowardly wokeness” and “anti-white racism” within the party.
In her video statement from 2022, she criticized the Democratic Party for being controlled by elitist warmongers and stoking division. During the final months of the 2024 campaign, she and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were prominent former Democrats aligning themselves with Trump. Gabbard’s support for Trump was further evident when she hosted him at a town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and spoke at his rally in Madison Square Garden.
Former Sanders ally takes pivotal position in Trump’s administration
Her political views, particularly her positions on Russia and Ukraine, have raised concerns. Gabbard has been accused of amplifying Russian narratives, during the 2022 controversy over U.S.-funded biolabs in Ukraine, which she later walked back. She also expressed dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s failure to consider Russia’s security concerns regarding NATO expansion.
In 2017, Gabbard sparked backlash for meeting with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whom she defended by framing the meeting as an attempt to end the Syrian conflict. This stance was widely criticized, with fellow lawmakers condemning her actions. Throughout her presidential campaign, Gabbard refrained from labeling Assad as a war criminal, arguing that Syria did not pose a direct threat to the U.S.
On several occasions, Gabbard has advocated for Edward Snowden, the former NSA contractor who leaked classified information. In 2020, she joined Rep. Matt Gaetz in calling for charges against Snowden to be dropped. Gabbard had previously expressed admiration for Snowden, arguing that his revelations about government surveillance were crucial for protecting American freedoms.
She also urged President Trump to pardon Snowden, citing his sacrifice in exposing the deep state’s deception. Trump, who initially called Snowden a traitor, later signaled openness to granting a pardon, highlighting the ongoing division over how to address Snowden’s actions.
