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Tulsi Gabbard doesn’t have the typical intelligence experience of past officeholders, but she is a veteran who served in the US military for over two decades.
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, looks on as former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, speaks at an event. (AP photo)
US president-elect Donald Trump has announced to appoint former Democrat and the first-ever Hindu elected to the US Congress, Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence in his second term.
Trump said that he wants to overhaul the nation’s intelligence services — a sector of the federal government he has long viewed with suspicion and distrust. The president-elect has blamed U.S. intelligence agencies of seeking to undermine his first administration as well as his campaigns.
“As a former Candidate for the Democrat Presidential Nomination, Tulsi 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!” he added.
Who is Tulsi Gabbard?
Gabbard doesn’t have the typical intelligence experience of past officeholders, but she is a veteran who served in the US military for over two decades. She represented the Democratic Party and served as a Congresswoman for Hawaii’s second district from 2013 to 2021.
Gabbard, 43, was born in American Samoa, raised in Hawaii and spent a year of her childhood in the Philippines. She was first elected as a 21-year-old to Hawaii’s House of Representatives but had to leave after one term when her National Guard unit deployed to Iraq.
As the first Hindu member of the House, Gabbard was sworn into office with her hand on the Bhagavad Gita. She was also the first American Samoan elected to Congress. She also served for two years on the House Homeland Security Committee.
Often mistaken for an Indian because of her first name, she has no ties to India. Gabbard’s mother converted to Hinduism and gave all her children Hindu names.
She was known for speaking out against her party’s leadership. Her early support for Sen. Bernie Sanders ’ 2016 Democratic presidential primary run made her a popular figure in progressive politics nationally. In 2020, Gabbard made a bid for Democratic president nomination against Kamala Harris, blaming her own party for not opposing wars. She later dropped out of the race. She left the Democratic Party in 2022 and endorsed Trump earlier this year, becoming popular among his supporters.
After joining the Republican party in 2022, Gabbard endorsed Donald Trump for the presidency and helped him prepare for the debate against Kamala Harris.
She is married to cinematographer Abraham Williams. Her father, Mike Gabbard, is a state senator who was first elected as a Republican but who switched parties to become a Democrat.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)