Fri Nov 15 04:36:53 UTC 2024: ## Trump Taps Controversial Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard for Top Intelligence Post

**Washington, D.C.** – Former Democratic congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who switched parties to support Donald Trump, has been nominated by the president-elect to lead the US intelligence community as Director of National Intelligence. This appointment, which requires Senate confirmation, has sparked significant controversy, with critics questioning her lack of experience and raising concerns about her past pronouncements.

Gabbard, known for her previous support of liberal causes, switched parties in 2022, becoming an outspoken Trump supporter. She has faced criticism for aligning herself with Russian narratives on the Ukraine conflict and her apparent support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“Not only is she ill-prepared and unqualified, but she traffics in conspiracy theories and cozies up to dictators like Bashar-al Assad and Vladimir Putin,” stated Democratic Virginia congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, a member of the House Intelligence Committee.

The nomination has also drawn attention from Russian media, which see it as potentially complicating Washington’s relationship with Ukraine. Gabbard’s previous criticisms of the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict have led some to speculate that her appointment could signal a shift in US policy.

The Director of National Intelligence oversees all 18 US intelligence agencies, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA, and manages a budget exceeding $70 billion. Gabbard’s nomination, along with other controversial picks like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services, underscore the president-elect’s commitment to shaking up the establishment in Washington.

While the appointment has faced immediate backlash, it remains to be seen whether Gabbard will ultimately secure Senate confirmation and lead the nation’s intelligence community.

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