US President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Democratic Representative Tulsi Gabbard as his Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a move that has sparked both controversy and debate across the political spectrum. Trump is signaling a hard break with the Biden administration and its policies with his nominations. This seems to be good news for those who believe in Trump and his allies.
Background
With 1.2 million followers on both Instagram and TikTok, Tulsi is also a social media personality, where she gives her pointed opinions on political issues.
Tulsi Gabbard (Instagram), 43, has had a diverse political career. She made history as the first Hindu member of the U.S. Congress and the first person born in American Samoa to hold a congressional seat. Gabbard served four terms representing Hawaii’s second congressional district from 2013 to 2021. She is also a military veteran, having served in the Iraq War and deployed to Kuwait.
Initially affiliated with the Democratic Party, Gabbard supported Senator Bernie Sanders in his 2016 campaign and ran her own unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2020. In 2022, she left the Democratic Party, citing disillusionment with what she described as an elitist group controlling the party. She later endorsed Trump and officially joined the Republican Party.
Controversial Stances
Gabbard’s nomination has drawn criticism due to her controversial positions on various issues:
- Russia and Ukraine: She has faced accusations of promoting Russian narratives, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine.
- Syria: Gabbard has opposed U.S. military intervention in Syria and met with President Bashar al-Assad in 2017, advocating for Syrian self-determination.
- Iran: She criticized Trump’s 2020 drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, arguing it pushed the U.S. closer to war with Iran.
- Israel and Gaza: Recently, Gabbard has expressed support for Israel in its conflict with Hamas and rejected calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Democratic Criticism
The Democratic National Committee has strongly criticized Gabbard’s nomination. They argue that her appointment poses a danger to national security, citing her history of defending Vladimir Putin, promoting Russian-backed disinformation campaigns, and associating with fringe hate groups7. Democrats have also highlighted Gabbard’s past support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and her criticism of the January 6 investigation.
Expectations and Implications
As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard would oversee 18 intelligence agencies with an approximate budget of $70 billion. Some see her appointment as a reward for her support during Trump’s campaign rather than a selection based on intelligence expertise. Gabbard’s non-interventionist foreign policy stance and her skepticism towards U.S. intelligence assessments may influence the direction of intelligence operations.
However, broader administration strategies on issues like Ukraine and Iran will likely dictate any significant changes in intelligence policy. Her nomination is part of a pattern where Trump has selected individuals known more for their allegiance to him than for their expertise in national security. This approach has raised concerns about the potential politicization of intelligence agencies.
Tulsi Gabbard’s controversial stances and lack of direct intelligence experience are likely to face scrutiny during the Senate confirmation process.
