Trump Nominates Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence, Marking Bold Move for U.S. Intelligence Leadership

Former U.S. congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has been nominated by Donald Trump to serve as the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a prominent position that would make her the top advisor to the president on intelligence matters. As DNI, Gabbard would be responsible for overseeing the U.S. intelligence community and briefing the president daily. Gabbard, an Iraq War veteran and outspoken critic of U.S. interventionist policies, has previously highlighted “war and peace” as the central issue shaping her views.

Gabbard served in Congress representing Hawaii from 2013 to 2021, and her tenure included a period as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, which she left in 2016 over perceived bias in the primaries against Bernie Sanders. She officially left the Democratic Party in 2022, criticizing it for what she described as an “elitist cabal of warmongers.” Known for her strong views on U.S. foreign policy, Gabbard has openly opposed the military-industrial complex, warned about the implications of U.S. involvement in Ukraine, and accused the U.S. of sabotage regarding the Nord Stream pipeline.

Although sympathetic to some of Trump’s policies, Gabbard has not shied away from challenging him on key issues. She criticized Trump over the assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020 and advocated for clemency for whistleblowers Edward Snowden and Julian Assange. This nomination underscores Trump’s inclination toward unconventional figures in government roles and suggests a potential shift in the U.S. intelligence community’s priorities if confirmed.