Recently elected US president Donald Trump has appointed Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in his administration. As a Director of National Intelligence Gabard will act as the top intelligence adviser for the president.

Gabbard has a military background and was a former Democratic representative, but she lacks direct experience in intelligence services. She left the Democratic Party in 2022 and began endorsing Trump earlier this year, which brought her back into the limelight.

About Tulsi Gabbard:

Tulsi Gabbard born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, spent her early childhood in the Philippines. She entered politics at the young age of 21 when she won a seat in Hawaii’s House of Representatives. She also has been a member of the US Army National Guard for more than two decades and also served with her unit in Iraq, showing her commitment to both public service and her country.

Later, she made history as the first Hindu and the first American Samoan to serve in Congress, representing Hawaii. When she took the oath of office, she was sworn in on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text that reflects her Hindu faith.

Gabbard served four terms in Congress and frequently criticised her party's leadership. She gained a strong progressive following by supporting Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary, which brought her national attention as a key progressive voice.

Gabbard’s switch from Democratic to Republican:

Gabbard started her political journey with the Democratic party but became increasingly inclined towards the Republican party over the years. In 2020, she ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, taking on rivals like Kamala Harris over issues of U.S. foreign policy, particularly military interventions. She criticised the party for prioritising war and ignoring the needs of regular Americans.

By the end of 2022, Gabbard left the Democratic Party and joined the Republican Party, becoming an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump.

Gabbard as a Trump Supporter:

Earlier this year, Gabbard started endorsing Trump, quickly gaining popularity and support among his followers. She helped Trump in preparing for a debate against Harris this year, and in October, at a Trump rally in North Carolina, she announced her switch to the Republican Party, saying the Democratic Party had become "completely unrecognisable."

On announcing Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, Donald Trump described her as a "proud Republican" and praised her "fearless spirit" as a valuable asset for the intelligence community. He pinpointed that her leadership would be key in defending "Constitutional rights," strengthening national security, and promoting peace.