Tulsi Gabbard Appointed as Director of National Intelligence by President Donald Trump

At 43 years old, Gabbard has a distinguished political and military background. She served as a four-term Congresswoman from Hawaii and was the Democratic presidential candidate in 2020. Gabbard is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves and has served in Iraq. Despite her extensive political experience, Gabbard has no prior background in intelligence agencies.

Gabbard began her political career at the age of 21, being elected to the Hawaii House of Representatives for the 42nd district. In her personal life, she is married to cinematographer Abraham Williams, and her father, Mike Gabbard, is a former Hawaii state senator who switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party.

In 2020, Gabbard did not seek re-election for the 117th Congress. She left the Democratic Party in 2022, citing its increasing elitism and focus on war interests. Afterward, Gabbard joined the Republican Party and played a significant role in supporting Trump’s agenda. She publicly endorsed Trump for the 2024 presidential election and even began campaigning alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Gabbard is known for her anti-war stance, particularly in relation to Moscow. Her appointment as Director of National Intelligence has been met with surprise, as it is considered an unconventional choice. As DNI, Gabbard will oversee 18 intelligence agencies and a budget of $76 billion.

Her role in assisting Trump during debates with Vice President Kamala Harris further solidified her connection with Trump’s political camp. While her lack of intelligence experience has raised questions, Trump views Gabbard’s appointment as part of his plan to reform the intelligence community, which he has often criticized. In selecting Gabbard, Trump stated, “For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedom of all Americans. As a former Democratic presidential candidate, she gained widespread support across both parties, and now she is a proud Republican.”