Sat Nov 23 22:10:00 UTC 2024: ## Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a Controversial Choice for US National Intelligence Director

**Washington, D.C. – November 24, 2024** – President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence has sparked significant controversy. Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who recently switched parties, has a history of outspoken views and shifting political allegiances that have raised concerns about her suitability for the high-profile position.

Gabbard, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army National Guard, served in Iraq and Kuwait. She began her political career as a Democrat, becoming the first Hindu member of Congress. However, her political stances have been described as diverse and often contradictory. While a vocal opponent of US military interventionism, she has also expressed views sympathetic to Russia, including echoing Russian claims about Ukrainian bioweapons labs. These views earned her praise on Russian state television and criticism at home for allegedly promoting Russian propaganda. Her meetings with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, outside official channels, further fueled controversy.

Despite her criticism of US foreign policy, Gabbard has strongly condemned groups like al-Qaeda, ISIS, and Hamas. Her inability to consistently align with either the Democratic or Republican platforms eventually led her to leave the Democratic party in 2022, citing “elitist warmongers” and “cowardly wokeness”. She subsequently joined the Republican party and endorsed Trump.

Gabbard’s past advocacy for whistleblowers Julian Assange and Edward Snowden, coupled with her upcoming role overseeing agencies like the CIA, FBI, and NSA, presents a potential conflict of interest. Furthermore, CNN reported that Gabbard was briefly placed on a TSA watchlist due to her travel patterns and foreign connections. Her nomination, which requires Senate confirmation, is certain to face intense scrutiny. The article highlights Gabbard’s starkly contrasting past statements about Donald Trump, indicating a significant shift in her political loyalties.

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