Who is Tulsi Gabbard? First Hindu US Congresswoman Appointed US Intel Chief by Donald Trump

Washington: President-elect Donald Trump recently made a significant announcement, naming Tulsi Gabbard as his choice for Director of National Intelligence (DNI). This position would place her in charge of overseeing 18 US intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI, and preparing the President’s Daily Brief. While the role is crucial for national security, Gabbard's appointment signals a shift in foreign policy priorities, aligning with Trump’s approach of appointing advisers who are deeply skeptical of U.S. military interventions abroad.

Early Political Career and Military Service

Tulsi Gabbard, a Samoan-American and a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve, served in Iraq and was deployed in the Middle East. She began her political career as a Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, serving from 2013 to 2021. Known for her strong stance on foreign policy, Gabbard gained national attention for her criticism of US military involvement overseas, especially in the Middle East. Her military experience gives her a unique perspective on the cost of wars, which she believes have destabilized regions and made the US less safe.

Shift in Political Views: From Democrat to Independent

Gabbard was initially popular with progressives, especially for her support of Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic presidential race. However, her views began to diverge from mainstream Democratic politics. She became increasingly vocal against the 'elitist cabal of warmongers' in the Democratic Party, which she claimed controlled foreign policy decisions. In 2020, she ran for president, campaigning on the idea that U.S. involvement in foreign wars was damaging to both the U.S. and the world. After endorsing Joe Biden , Gabbard ultimately left the Democratic Party in 2022, declaring herself an independent.

Since then, she has gained support from Republicans and right-wing circles. She has also become a regular commentator on Fox News, where she discusses foreign policy and the issues she believes matter most for America’s future.

Criticism of U.S. Foreign Policy and Military Interventions

Throughout her career, Gabbard has consistently criticized US military interventions in the Middle East. She argues that such wars, including the Iraq War and the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, have led to the loss of thousands of lives and wasted American taxpayer money. As the Director of National Intelligence, she is expected to apply this same critical lens to US intelligence strategies, with an emphasis on reducing unnecessary military interventions and focusing on protecting American interests at home and abroad.

What Her Appointment Could Mean

Gabbard’s appointment to this powerful role suggests that Trump intends to shift the direction of US intelligence operations. Her background as a critic of American military overreach means she will likely advocate for intelligence strategies that focus more on diplomacy and strategic partnerships rather than military action.

As DNI, Gabbard would be responsible for coordinating the work of all intelligence agencies and ensuring that the President has access to accurate and timely information about national security threats. Her unique blend of military experience, political independence, and skepticism of foreign military interventions could shape her leadership in ways that challenge traditional intelligence practices.