Trump Picks First Hindu Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

Washington: Donald Trump , who is returning as US President for a second term after a landslide victory in US Presidential Elections 2024, has been announcing hes of different portfolios for his upcoming term. In a latest, Trump has picked Tulsi Gabbard, first-ever Hindu Congresswoman as Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Trump Picks Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence

US President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democrat and first-ever Hindu elected to US Congress , would serve as Director of National Intelligence in his second term.

"I am pleased to announce that former Congresswoman, Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, will serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). For over two deces, Tulsi has fought for our Country and Freedoms of all Americans," Trump announced. "As a former candidate for Democratic presidential nomination, she has bro support in both parties. She is now a proud Republican! I know Tulsi will bring 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!" Trump said.

Who is Tulsi Gabbard, First-Ever Hindu Congresswoman?

A four-term Congresswoman, 2020 presidential candidate and NYT bestselling author, Gabbard is a veteran with three deployments to war zones in Middle East and Africa. She recently moved from being a Democrat to a Republican member. Her first book 'For Love of Country: Leave Democrat Party Behind' was released on April 30, 2024 and hit number four on New York Times' Bestsellers List following week.

Tulsi Gabbard's mor Carol Gabbard turned to Hinduism, instilling virtues of religion in her daughter; Tulsi Gabbard settled into Hindu faith as a teenager.

On August 26, 2024, Gabbard formally endorsed Trump for a second term and soon after began serving as co-chair of his transition team. On October 22, 2024, she joined Republican Party because of President-elect Trump's leership and how he has been able to transform Republican Party, bringing it back to party of people and party of peace, release said. PTI LKJ RPA

Tulsi Gabbard's Political Journey

Gabbard first served in elected office in Hawaii State House of Representatives when she was 21 years old. After 9/11 attacks, she enlisted in Army National Guard. In 2004, she gave up an easy re-election campaign and volunteered to deploy to Iraq with 29th Brige Combat Team where she served in a medical unit, according to a media release.

After returning home in 2006, she worked in US Senate as a legislative aide to late Senator Danny Akaka, who was chairman of Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. She n volunteered for a second Middle East deployment as a platoon leer.

Having experienced firsthand true cost of war, Gabbard ran for United States Congress at age of 31, vowing to honour lives and sacrifice of her brors and sisters in uniform. She prevailed in a difficult election and went on to serve in Congress for eight years as a member of Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs Committees. Foregoing a run for reelection to Congress in 2020, she ran for president as a Democrat.

In October 2022, she announced she was leaving Democrat Party, becoming an Independent.

(Inputs from AP)