Is Tulsi Gabbard a Democrat or a Republican? What you should know about Cabinet Pick

President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he is naming former U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard — the former Democrat from Hawaii — as his Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Gabbard is among Trump’s latest picks for key positions after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race last week, sweeping battleground states and securing 312 Electoral College votes.

“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 enjoys broad support in both parties,” Trump wrote in a statement announcing Gabbard as his pick.

“She is now a proud Republican! I know that Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community by advocating for our constitutional rights and ensuring peace through strength. “Tulsi will make us all proud!” Trump added.

Tulsi Gabbard’s political stance

Gabbard entered national politics as a Democrat in 2012 and won election to represent Hawaii in Congress. She remained in the House of Representatives until 2021 and became known for taking anti-war positions on foreign policy. During her term, she joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus and served as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) for three years.

She supported Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, securing the support of more progressive Democrats who agreed with her on foreign policy. She unsuccessfully ran in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary and ultimately endorsed President Joe Biden.

However, after leaving office, Gabbard became increasingly critical of the Democratic Party and officially left in 2022. In a statement at the time, she said the party was controlled by an “elitist cabal of warmongers.”

Gabbard officially became a Republican last month. “To those of you here or to those watching at home, independent-minded people like me who love our country and are committed to the Constitution and freedom: The Democratic Party has no home for people like us,” Gabbard said at announcing their new party. “But we have a home in the Republican Party, where we will be welcomed with open arms by President Trump.”

What did Tulsi Gabbard say about Bashar al-Assad?

When Gabbard served in the House of Representatives, she came under scrutiny for her comments about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after meeting with him during a “fact-finding mission” to Syria in 2017.

In 2019, she told MSNBC that she did not believe Assad was an enemy of the United States. She spoke out against US intervention in Syria, arguing that it would not threaten national security.

“Assad is not the enemy of the United States because Syria does not pose a direct threat to the United States,” she said. “My point is that whether it’s Syria or any of these other countries, we need to look at the extent to which their interests conflict with our interests or coincide with ours.”

Gabbard has also called Assad a “brutal dictator.”

DNI Meaning: What are the duties of the Director of National Intelligence?

The director of national intelligence is tasked with overseeing the intelligence community and implementation of the national intelligence program budget, according to the agency.

If confirmed, Gabbard would also serve as a key adviser to Trump, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council on national security issues.

“The goal of the Office of the DNI, in collaboration with the Principal Deputy DNI and with the support of Mission Managers and Deputy Directors, is to effectively integrate foreign, military and domestic intelligence to defend the homeland and United States interests abroad “ the office website reads.

Trump’s Cabinet picks

The president-elect has announced a number of key appointments since his victory.

Trump announced Wednesday that he would nominate U.S. Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida as his attorney general and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, also of Florida, as secretary of state.

He plans to appoint South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz of Florida as national security adviser; U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik of New York as United Nations Ambassador; former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to lead the Environmental Protection Agency; and Fox News host Pete Hegseth will head the Defense Department.

The president-elect also named Susie Wiles, a senior adviser to his campaign, as his chief of staff and Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy, two positions that do not require Senate confirmation.