After etching a massive victory in the US Presidential Elections, Donald Trump is all geared up to make his return to the White House. Trump announced the appointment of the former Democrat, Tulsi Gabbard as his US Intelligence Chief.
Tulsi Gabbard will be the first Hindu Congresswomen to sit atop the US spy agencies and will act as Trump’s intelligence advisor.
Tulsi Gabbard Appointed as Intelligence Head
Disclosing this news, Trump through his social media platform referred Tulsi as a ‘proud Republican’ who will bring her ‘fearless spirit’ into the intelligence community. He further added, “As a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, she has broad support in both parties. She is now a proud Republican!”
In response, Tulsi also penned a gratitude post on her official social media handle X. She wrote, “Thank you, Donald Trump, for the opportunity to serve as a member of your cabinet to defend the safety, security, and freedom of the American people. I look forward to getting to work.”
A Look into the Journey of Tulsi Gabbard
A veteran and possessing over two decades of military experience, Tulsi lacks the traditional intelligence background. She made an exit from the Democratic Party in 2022 and endorsed Trump earlier this year. This move from Tulsi made her capture a lot of popularity among Trump’s followers.
Political Background: First Hindu Elected to Congress
Tulsi was born in American Samoa and was brought up in Hawaii. She spent her early years in the Philippines. Elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives at the age of 21, Tulsi was very young when she stepped in politics. However, only after one term she vacated the position to be deployed with her National Guard unit in Iraq.
She carved history by becoming the first Hindu and American Samoan to serve in Congress, representing Hawaii. She also took the oath on the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred Hindu text following her appointment. During her four terms in office, Gabbard firmly stood against the leadership of her own party, garnering a loyal following for her progressive stances. She earned national recognition for her support to Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primary.
No Indian Roots
Due to her first name Tulsi, which is an Indian-Hindu name, she is often mistaken as an Indian. But Gabbard has no roots to India. Tulsi’s mother converted to Hinduism and gave all her children Hindu names.
Nominating Against Kamala Harris
In 2020, Gabbard launched a bid for Democratic presidential nomination, challenging Kamala Harris. She blamed her own party for failing to oppose endless wars. However, she later dropped out of the race and ultimately left the Democratic Party in 2022. She condemned that it was controlled by an ‘elitist cabal of warmongers and woke ideologues.’ Following this, she supported high-ranking Republicans, joined Fox News as a contributor, and also launched a podcast. She also underlined that today’s Democratic Party is unrecognizable from the party I joined 20 years ago.
Emerging Star Among Trump’s Circle
Tulsi endorsed Trump earlier this year, swiftly capturing traction among his supporters. She is frequently spotted alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who initially challenged Biden as a Democrat. Tulsi also assisted Trump in preparing for a debate against Kamala Harris this year.
Gabbard officially declared his exit from the Democratic Party, during a Trump rally in North Carolina.
Tulsi on Terror Watchlist
During an interview with Fox News, in August, Tulsi claimed that on July 23, the Biden administration had placed her on a ‘secret terror watchlist.’ She added that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) added her to its Quiet Skies Program watchlist without giving any explanation.
On September 4, Gabbard took to her social media account X, posting a video that how she discovered her inclusion on the list.
As Gabbard gears up herself for her new role in the Intelligence community, it will be interesting to look on how she will address the situations.
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Naina Jaggi is an author deeply rooted in Journalism, mainly writing on lifestyle, entertainment, travel, politics and financial markets. This diverse experience has allowed her to blend rich details with engaging narratives that capture the essence of various worlds. When she is not crafting tales, you’ll find her immersed in music and enjoying the company of dogs. She is also into K-dramas, thriller and horror movies that fuel her imagination, bringing the same spark to her stories.
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