President-elect Donald Trump said Gabbard would bring a ‘fearless spirit’ to the job, if she’s confirmed as director of national intelligence.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman actively serving as an Army Reserve officer, to be his director of national intelligence (DNI).
The DNI is a Cabinet-level position, established in 2004, responsible for overseeing the U.S. government’s intelligence-gathering efforts. If confirmed, the role would require Gabbard to coordinate both information-gathering and interagency cooperation between the various U.S. intelligence and national security components.
The role also entails coordinating intelligence sharing between the United States and its allies and partners.
Additionally, the DNI serves as the president’s top intelligence adviser, preparing his daily intelligence briefings.
Trump has, at times, shown skepticism toward the U.S. intelligence community. As DNI, Gabbard could prove critical in any plans Trump has to overhaul the U.S. intelligence community.
Announcing the nomination, Trump said, “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!”
A Soldier
Gabbard, 43, joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003.
She was serving in the Hawaii State House of Representatives at the time and has said she gave up an easy 2004 reelection campaign to instead volunteer for deployment in Iraq. In Iraq, she served on a medical unit attached to the Hawaii National Guard’s 29th Brigade Combat Team.
She went on to attend the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy and graduated in 2007 as the first woman to finish as the distinguished honor graduate in the academy’s 50-year history.
Gabbard went on to become a military police platoon leader in the Hawaii National Guard’s 29th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. She deployed to Kuwait, again as a volunteer, in 2009.
By 2020, Gabbard had transferred from the Hawaii National Guard to the Army Reserve. She continues to serve and currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Despite her military service, Gabbard doesn’t have an extensive background in intelligence.
By Ryan Morgan
