President-elect Donald Trump has tapped former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to serve as his director of national intelligence.
“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. “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. Tulsi will make us all proud!”
Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022, two years after her failed bid to secure the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020. Gabbard’s run greatly increased her public profile, especially after good debate performances. After Gabbard endorsed Trump in August, she became a close adviser to the president-elect and is one of the honorary co-chairs of the Trump transition team.
Earlier this year, Gabbard said she had been placed on a “secret terror watch list” after criticizing Kamala Harris.
In a 2023 interview, Gabbard told The Daily Signal that the Democrat Party is “wildly out of touch with the people of this country, with the Democratic Party that I joined 20 years ago.”
An “elite cabal of warmongers” controls the party, and “they are intent on undermining our God-given rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. They are rejecting the reality of objective truth and biology and trying to erase us as women, as an entire category of people, undermining the rule of law.”
Tyler O’Neil contributed to this report.
