On November 13, US President-elect Donald Trump appointed former Congresswoman and lieutenant colonel Tulsi Gabbard as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in his administration. Trump praised Gabbard as a “proud Republican” and expressed confidence that she would bring her “fearless spirit” to the nation’s intelligence community.
Trump shared the announcement on the social media platform X through his official campaign account, Trump War Room.
“I am pleased to announce that former Congresswoman, Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, will serve as Director of National Intelligence (DNI). For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedoms of all Americans. As a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, she has broad support in both parties. She is now a proud Republican! I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our constitutional rights and securing peace through strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!”
— TrumpWarRoom (@TrumpWarRoom)
President Donald J. Trump announces @TulsiGabbard as Director of National Intelligence pic.twitter.com/LNPQV3dwbR
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 13, 2024
Breaking barriers as the first Hindu and American Samoan in Congress
Tulsi Gabbard, 43, was born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, with part of her childhood spent in the Philippines. She entered politics at a young age, being elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives at just 21. However, she stepped down after one term to serve with her National Guard unit in Iraq. Gabbard later made history as the first Hindu and the first American Samoan to be elected to Congress, representing Hawaii. In a symbolic gesture of her faith, she took the oath of office on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text.
During her four terms in Congress, Gabbard often voiced criticism of her party’s leadership and became known for her independent stance. She gained significant attention in 2016 for supporting Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary, earning a progressive following and national recognition as a prominent voice in the left-wing of the Democratic Party.
Tulsi Gabbard is often mistakenly assumed to be of Indian origin due to her first name, which is of Hindu heritage. However, she does not have direct ties to India. Her mother, Carol, converted to Sanatan Dharma after being introduced to the religion through books and spiritual teachers. As a result, Carol gave all her children Hindu names, including Bhakti, Jai, Aryan, Tulsi, and Vrindavan. Gabbard identifies as a Hindu, following the Vaishnava tradition and cherishing the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, which she views as her spiritual guide. Unlike some Indian-origin Americans who may hold critical views of India, Gabbard’s perspective is unique, shaped by her family’s European-American roots and her mother’s embrace of Sanatan Dharma. She took her congressional oath in 2013 on her personal copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a tradition she is likely to continue.
Overseeing Trump’s Intelligence Overhaul
Trump has indicated plans to overhaul US intelligence agencies, which he views as unreliable and disloyal. He believes that during his first term, these agencies undermined his administration and are part of a “deep state” of civil servants who lack sufficient loyalty. “We will root out all corrupt actors in our national security and intelligence apparatus, and there are plenty of them,” Trump stated in 2023, outlining his priorities for a potential second term. “The departments and agencies that have been weaponised will undergo a complete overhaul.”
The position of director of national intelligence (DNI) was established in 2004 to enhance coordination among US intelligence agencies and prevent future failures, especially in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Today, the DNI’s role includes addressing critical threats such as foreign election interference, cyber security, terrorism, and espionage.
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