Tulsi Gabbard Nominated as Director of National Intelligence by President-Elect Trump
President-elect Donald Trump has selected Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii and a vocal critic of American military interventions, to serve as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI). This position would place Gabbard in charge of all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, shaping the administration’s intelligence and international policies.
Gabbard’s Political Transformation and Support for Trump
Once a Democrat who ran for the presidential candidacy in 2020, Gabbard evolved into one of America’s leading advocates for Trump and a notable conservative figure in the airwaves. Her bipartisan appeal is even recognized by Trump, though the recent affiliation with the Republican Party weakened ties to the Democratic constituency.
Trump Upholds Gabbard’s Platform
Trump praised Gabbard for having a “fearless spirit” and for being an ardent defender of Constitutional rights, positing that she will inject the intelligence community with just the right amount of strength and motivation. He concluded: “Tulsi will make us all proud.”
Criticism of Existing U.S. Foreign Policy
An armed forces veteran, decorated as a combat operation leader and having been an Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, Gabbard has been very vocal about the Biden administration’s foreign policy, in particular about the entry into various conflicts. The one who recently addressed a Trump rally, where she spoke out about rising global tensions and passionately advocated for the de-escalation approach.
Unconventional Cabinet Appointments
Gabbard’s nomination mirrors the Trump tendency to choose on loyalty rather than traditional national security qualification. Other selections such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and other business leaders, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy, only go to solidify that Trump’s effort at unifying his administration is unique in and of itself.
Also read- John Ratcliffe nominated as CIA chief USA 2025
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tulsi Gabbard |
| Date of Birth | April 12, 1981 (age 43) |
| Place of Birth | Leloaloa, American Samoa |
| Other Names | Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo |
| Current Political Party | Republican (2024–present) |
| Previous Political Affiliations | Democratic (1999–2022), Independent (2022–2024) |
| Spouses | Eduardo Tamayo (m. 2002; div. 2006), Abraham Williams (m. 2015) |
| Children | None |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
| Parent | Mike Gabbard (father) |
| Relatives | Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard (aunt) |
| Education | Hawaii Pacific University (BS) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $500,000–$1 million (as of recent estimates) |
Hinduism Valued by Tulsi Gabbard
Foundational Influence and Spiritual Development
Tulsi Gabbard was nurtured in a distinctive, multicultural environment that embraced Hindu values. Born in American Samoa, her family moved to Hawaii, where her mother cultivated an interest in Hinduism and instilled its principles in her children. The name “Tulsi,” derived from the revered Hindu plant Ocimum tenuiflorum, commonly known as holy basil, symbolizes the goddess Tulasi. This early association with Hindu symbols laid the groundwork for her enduring reverence for the faith.
Philosophies and Rituals
During her formative years, Tulsi absorbed spiritual teachings from the Bhagavad Gita, one of the most esteemed texts in Hinduism, which underscores concepts such as karma, duty, and altruism. These teachings significantly influenced her daily life and moral compass, fostering a strong sense of responsibility towards serving others. Gabbard also engaged in yoga and meditation, practices rooted in Hinduism that enhance mental clarity, resilience, and empathy.
Connection with the Science of Identity Foundation
In her teenage years, Tulsi became affiliated with the Science of Identity Foundation (SIF), a Vaishnava Hindu organization aligned with the teachings of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Through her involvement with SIF, Gabbard expanded her spiritual understanding and embraced a devotional perspective, regularly participating in practices such as chanting and studying sacred texts. Her dedication to Hinduism has profoundly influenced her life philosophy and political views, as Tulsi openly expresses her faith and emphasizes her commitment to the values of compassion, tolerance, and social responsibility.
| Military Service Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/Service | United States Army |
| Years of Service | 2003–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, United States Army Reserve |
| Battles/Wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Combat Medical Badge, Meritorious Service Medal |
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2002 | Elected to Hawaii State Legislature, becoming the youngest woman elected at age 21. |
| 2003 | Joined the Hawaii Army National Guard. |
| 2004-2005 | Deployed to Iraq, served in a medical unit. |
| 2007 | Graduated as a distinguished honor graduate from Officer Training at the Alabama Military Academy. |
| 2008-2009 | Stationed in Kuwait as an Army Military Police platoon leader. |
| 2013 | Elected as U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, becoming the first Samoan-American in Congress; appointed Vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). |
| 2015 | Promoted to Major in the Hawaii Army National Guard; vocal critic of Obama administration’s stance on Islamic extremism. |
| 2016 | Resigned from DNC Vice-chair position to endorse Bernie Sanders for the Democratic presidential nomination. |
| 2017 | Publicly expressed skepticism about certain military actions in Syria. |
| 2019 | Launched campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2020 election. |
| 2020 | Ended presidential campaign, endorsed Joe Biden in March; transferred to U.S. Army Reserve; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. |
| 2021 | Departed from Congress in January; took conservative positions on various social and foreign policy issues. |
| 2022 | Left the Democratic Party in October, became an Independent; campaigned for Republicans during the 2022 midterms; featured speaker at CPAC. |
| 2024 | Joined the Republican Party; endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election in August; became honorary co-chair of Trump’s presidential transition team; in November, selected by Trump to serve as Director of National Intelligence . |