No, Tulsi Gabbard Isn’t Indian American — But She Is a Hindu American Making Waves in US Politics

Yesterday, in a significant new appointment, President-elect Donald Trump nominated former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as his choice for Director of National Intelligence. As Director of National Intelligence she'll be responsible for heing all of US' intelligence agencies. A former Democratic lawmaker who has since crossed aisle, Gabbard’s rise to political prominence is notable for several reasons, not least of which is her background as a Hindu American and her outspoken stance on numerous issues that have brought her attention — and controversy — across political spectrum.

Gabbard’s Background and Military Service 

Born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, Gabbard me history in 2002 as youngest person ever elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives at just 21 years old. Shortly after, she enlisted in Hawaii Army National Guard, and in 2004, she left public office for a 12-month deployment in Iraq with a field medical unit. Following her return, she rose in ranks, going on to serve in Kuwait in 2009 as a military police platoon leer and trainer for counterterrorism operations. She currently holds rank of lieutenant colonel. 

1st Hindu American Lawmaker on Capitol Hill 

When she was elected to U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, Gabbard became first Hindu American in Congress, taking her oath of office on Bhagav Gita. Her election was celebrated by many as a step forward for Hindus in American politics. She also broke ground as first practicing Hindu to reach such a position of influence in United States, vocating for religious tolerance and calling attention to diversity of beliefs in American society. 

Tulsi isn't an Indian American 

However, unlike some might assume based on her religious identity, Gabbard is not of Indian descent. Her Hindu faith is rooted in her upbringing rar than ancestry. Tulsi's mor, Carol Porter Gabbard accepted Hinduism and raised all her children as Hindus. Tulsi, in many interviews, has stated that she subscribes to Gaudiya Vaishnav school of Hinduism, which originated in Bengal. In 60s, Srila Prabhub played a pivotal role in preaching its message to people around world. 

Congress and Clashes with Democratic Party 

In US Congress, Gabbard quickly established herself as an independent-minded Democrat, challenging party positions and defying leership on key votes. As a Democrat, she criticized Barrack Obama for refusing to acknowledge threat posed by rical Islam. 

She notably broke from majority of her party by voting “present” on Donald Trump’s impeachment in 2019, saying she could not support a partisan process. In or instances, she joined Republicans in supporting more stringent “extreme vetting” for Iraqi and Syrian refugees entering U.S. Gabbard’s willingness to cross party lines earned her respect from some quarters and sharp criticism from ors, especially within her own party.

Despite her outsider status in Congress, Gabbard also earned her party’s respect early on, being elected vice chair of Democratic National Committee (DNC) in 2013. However, her outspoken stances and maverick approach eventually strained her relationship with Democratic establishment.

Controversial Meetings in Syria and Foreign Policy Stances 

Perhaps one of most divisive moments in her career was Gabbard’s 2017 trip to Syria, where she met with President Bashar al-Ass, whose regime has been accused of human rights abuses, including chemical attacks against civilians. Gabbard defended meeting as a “fact-finding mission,” though bipartisan backlash was swift and widespre. She later commented on MSNBC that Ass was “not enemy of United States because Syria does not pose a direct threat to United States,” a remark that underscored her strong opposition to U.S.-backed interventions in Middle East.

A Shift to Right 

Gabbard’s increasingly critical view of Democratic Party ultimately led to her exit from party. After an unsuccessful bid for 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, she announced her departure from party, condemning it as an “elitist cabal of warmongers driven by cowardly wokeness.” 

She accused Democratic leers of “anti-white racism” and “ricalizing every issue,” statements that aligned her more closely with conservative media and political circles.

This October, Gabbard officially joined Republican Party. Since her shift, she has emerged as a favored voice on Fox News and or conservative platforms, often voicing her critiques of “identity politics” and “rical liberalism.”

It is worth ding, that even when she was a Democrat, many conservative commentators, such a Tucker Carlson, who was on Fox News at that time, respected her. 

Trump’s Bold Choice for Intelligence Chief 

Trump’s choice of Gabbard as his nominee for director of national intelligence is a significant development. If confirmed, Gabbard would oversee United States’ intelligence apparatus, including agencies such as CIA and FBI, with a combined budget of $76 billion. Her nomination was met with sharp criticism from many Democrats, who argue she lacks direct experience in intelligence and remains controversial for her foreign policy views and stance on Ass.

In response, Trump has doubled down, saying, “We will clean out all of corrupt actors in our national security and intelligence apparatus, and re are plenty of m,” signaling a willingness to disrupt intelligence community.