President-elect Donald Trump has selected Tulsi Gabbard to serve as his Director of National Intelligence.
“I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her great work to our Intelligence Community, fighting for our Constitutional Rights, and ensuring Peace with Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!” he announced in a statement on Wednesday.
TULSI GABBARD, DEMOCRATIC FORMER PRESIDENT, JOINS REPUBLICAN PARTY IN TRUMP CAMPAIGN
Gabbard, a veteran and former Army reserve, served in the House as a Democrat from 2013 to 2021, before joining the Republican Party and campaigning against Trump in his latest run for president. He is now the chairman of Trump’s transition team.
Tulsi Gabbard, a former Hawaii House Democrat, is on the short list of contenders for director of national intelligence, multiple sources have confirmed to Fox News Digital. (Getty Images)
In September, Gabbard told Fox News Digital that she would be “honored” to join Trump’s leadership and added that ending “the influence of the military industry,” working to prevent World War III and bringing the US back “to the brink of nuclear war” would be among her priorities.
He was reportedly interested in the defense secretary job, but Trump has reportedly promised to nominate former Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth, who is also an Army veteran.
Gabbard criticized Democrats as “pro-censorship” and “anti-liberalism,” but his criticism extended to Republicans as well. He spoke negatively about US involvement in the Middle East and criticized Trump during his first administration for the assassination of General Qassem Soleimani of Iran.
Gabbard clashed with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2017 during the country’s civil war. He was against the US arming rebel groups in Syria and said he was “ready to meet with anyone if an opportunity arises to help end this war.”
Gabbard was reportedly placed on the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) terror list known as “Quiet Skies” earlier this year.
Trump welcomed Gabbard during a campaign rally at the Greensboro Coliseum Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
The program allows federal air traffic controllers to track US citizens and gather information about their behavior in an effort to stop threats “posed by unknown or little-known terrorists.”
TULSI GABBARD SAYS ‘HONORED’ TO JOIN POTENTIAL TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
“When I was traveling, I ended up being screened for 30 to 45 minutes every time I went to the airport for a flight,” he told Fox’s One Nation. “I saw the air marshals, I saw the K-9 teams. There were things that I saw and realized that were very unusual. But the deep pain and hurt and stress that this caused is, going forward, I will always be there. I’m looking over my shoulder, wondering if my government is watching over me and how. “
Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, questions Ambassador Kurt Volker, former special envoy to Ukraine, and Tim Morrison, former National Security Council official, as they testify before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington Nov. 2019, during a public impeachment hearing for President Trump’s efforts to tie US aid to Ukraine to the investigation of his political opponents. (Jacquelyn Martin/Pool via Reuters)
In Congress, he has sponsored legislation that would ban the use of nuclear weapons for the first time and often criticizes politicians who “beat the drums of war and stomp out differences.”
Gabbard, a Fox News anchor, could not be reached for comment.
On Tuesday, Trump tapped John Ratcliffe, his former director of national intelligence, to lead the CIA.
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The director of national intelligence heads the office that advises the president, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council on matters of national security. Any nominee for the role must be confirmed by the Senate or appointed acting.
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