After Tulsi Gabbard destroyed Kamala Harris in a 2020 election debate, then broke with Democrats to support Trump in 2024, it was clear that she had worked her way into the inner circle of Trump's camp.
When Trump nominated her for his Director of National Intelligence (DNI), I publicly stated numerous times that it was a mistake. People were stunned because I was a huge Gabbard advocate, but that was as a Democrat operative supporting Republican positions. I did not like her as a middling Republican because I feared she would be labeled a RINO and go from friend to enemy in a heartbeat.
While I wished her success, my position on her has never changed. Now, I am seeing her break with Trump while also seeing the left try to absolutely destroy this woman, a decorated military officer, for no other reason than the fact that she is now with Trump rather than toeing the Democrat Party line. To that point, the Russian asset smear is arguably one of the most disgusting political fabrications we have seen in modern history (right up there with the Russian collusion hoax created by Hillary Clinton and the DNC).
Gabbard started her political career serving in the Hawaii state legislature, winning her first election in November 2002.
While serving in the state legislature, she had enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard in April 2003 and was deployed to Iraq for a 12-month tour as a specialist with the Medical Company, 29th Support Battalion, 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Hawaii Army National Guard. She received a Combat Medical Badge for "participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.”
Gabbard completed her tour in 2005 but chose not to campaign for re-election due to her deployment.
In 2007, Gabbard graduated at the top of her class from the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy, becoming the first woman to do so.
She initially served with the Military Police. She quickly rose through the ranks, being promoted to Captain, then Major in 2015 while serving in the Hawaii Army National Guard. In 2020, she transferred to the 351st Civil Affairs Command, a California-based United States Army Reserve unit assigned to the United States Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command.
Gabbard was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 2021 during a deployment to the Horn of Africa, working as a civil affairs officer in support of a special operations mission. She was later given command of the 1st Battalion, 354th Regiment, while having a top-secret security clearance for the majority of her military career. Keep that in mind as we get further into her career.
While serving, Gabbard re-entered the political arena in 2010, winning her election and joining the City Council of Honolulu in 2011, and then she ran for office again during the 2012 cycle, taking her seat in 2013.
Gabbard quickly became a rising star in the party. She found herself on some of the most prestigious committees in Congress, serving on the House Homeland Security, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Financial Services Committees. Of note is that she also served on the Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations.
There were signs of resistance with Gabbard against the Democrat machine early on, having served as the Vice Chair of the DNC from 2013, only to resign her post in February 2016 to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) for president. According to an NPR report, at the time, Gabbard stated:
"As a veteran and as a soldier I've seen firsthand the true cost of war. I think it's most important for us as we look at our choices as to who our next commander-in-chief will be ... to recognize the necessity to have a commander in chief who has foresight, who exercises good judgment."
This is something few on the right probably even realize happened, as it likely flew under the radar, but it was the first warning sign that she never should have been welcomed into the GOP, let alone nominated for a top-ranking position in a Republican administration.
The second warning sign was a meeting that Gabbard had with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in January 2017, which, at the time, according to a BBC report, Nancy Pelosi claimed she had no knowledge of. When details of the meeting were made public, Gabbard defended the meeting, stating:
"When the opportunity arose to meet with him, I did so, because I felt it's important that if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then we've got to be able to meet with anyone that we need to if there is a possibility that we could achieve peace.”
This was a major overstep by Gabbard. Some tried to paint her as a traitor at the time, but I saw it as someone with much larger ambitions trying to make her mark. But make no mistake, she was out of line and never should have taken this meeting unless she had the approval of the president.
The dénouement of Gabbard’s disgust with the Democrat Party was there for all to see during the 2020 election season, where she ended Harris’ presidential hopes during the second debate. Up until that moment, Harris was a favorite.
There were several notable moments, but it was Gabbard torching Harris’ record as a prosecutor. As the New York Times reported, Gabbard stated:
“Now, Senator Harris says she’s proud of her record as a prosecutor and that she’ll be a prosecutor president. But I’m deeply concerned about this record. There are too many examples to cite but she put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and then laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana.”
Then she really turned it on, adding:
“She blocked evidence that would have freed an innocent man from death row until the courts forced her to do so. She kept people in prison beyond their sentences to use them as cheap labor for the state of California, and she fought to keep a cash bail system in place that impacts poor people in the worst kind of way.”
Harris made the mistake of dismissing the attack, making Gabbard out to be a nobody while she was among the favorites. Harris crashed in polling, and she was out before the first vote was cast. That moment made Gabbard a cult hero on the right.
During Gabbard’s rise, she was clearly seen as a threat by the establishment, and Hillary Clinton pushed a narrative to try to take Gabbard out to clear the way for Harris.
In October 2019, Hillary was doing a podcast with former Obama adviser David Plouffe, where she planted the seed that Gabbard was being groomed by the Russians. She stated:
“I’m not making any predictions, but I think they’ve got their eye on somebody who is currently in the Democratic primary and are grooming her to be the third-party candidate. the favorite of the Russians.”
Hillary avoided naming Gabbard, but of all the female candidates in the race, Gabbard was the only one who had come under attacks as being boosted by the Russians, so it was clear to everyone paying attention that Clinton had her sights set on Gabbard.
Gabbard responded on X, posting:
“Thank you @HillaryClinton. You, the queen of warmongers, embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long, have finally come out from behind the curtain.”
She continued:
“From the day I announced my candidacy, there has been a concerted campaign to destroy my reputation. We wondered who was behind it and why. Now we know — it was always you, through your proxies and powerful allies in the corporate media and war machine, afraid of the threat I pose. It’s now clear that this primary is between you and me. Don’t cowardly hide behind your proxies. Join the race directly.”
Hillary had no proof, mind you, not a thread, but we all know Hillary needs no proof to throw out a vicious rumor for the purpose of ending someone’s career. It was no wonder Gabbard stayed in the 2020 race well beyond when it became apparent she had no chance.
Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill then openly pushed the narrative, responding to a question about Gabbard:
“This is not some outlandish claim. This is reality. If the Russian propaganda machine, both their state media and their bot and troll operations, is backing a candidate aligned with their interests, that is just a reality, it is not speculation.”
Gabbard has been all over the place on her positions, especially since joining the Trump administration. At times, she has been clear. In other situations, she has sidestepped making her position clear, but making it apparent she was not on board with Trump.
These positions are all laid out in the table below:
| Issue | Tulsi as a Democrat | Trump's Position | Tulsi's Current Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| FISA / Surveillance | Co-sponsored legislation with Rep. Massie to end data collection (2020). Called FISA "an overreach." | Supports clean reauthorization of Section 702 with no amendments. Called it essential for "Military Patriots." | Publicly called 702 "crucial" after becoming DNI. Privately told Trump in February 2026 she did NOT support a clean extension. Broke with Trump. |
| Gun Control | Supported assault weapons ban and universal background checks. Co-sponsored multiple gun control bills in the House. | Opposes assault weapons ban. Strong Second Amendment advocate. Endorsed by the NRA. | Silent. Has not publicly addressed her prior gun control positions since joining the administration. |
| Abortion | 100% rating from Planned Parenthood. Opposed restrictions on abortion access throughout her time in Congress. | Appointed three Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. Supports states' rights on abortion. | Silent. Has not publicly stated a current position on abortion since leaving Congress. |
| Healthcare | Supported Medicare for All during 2020 presidential campaign. Co-sponsored single-payer legislation. | Opposes Medicare for All. Supports private healthcare system with market-based reforms. | Silent. Has not publicly addressed healthcare policy since joining the administration. |
| Climate / Paris Agreement | Supported the Paris Climate Agreement. Backed the Green New Deal framework. Called climate change an "existential threat." | Withdrew from the Paris Agreement (twice). Called climate regulations "job killers." Expanded domestic drilling. | Silent. Has not publicly commented on climate policy since joining the administration. |
| Immigration / DACA | Supported DACA protections. Opposed Trump's border wall. Voted against border wall funding. | Ended DACA. Built the border wall. Launched mass deportation campaign. Signed birthright citizenship EO. | Aligned with Trump. Has publicly supported the administration's immigration enforcement posture. |
| Syria / Foreign Intervention | Met with Assad (2017). Opposed US military strikes in Syria. Called for end to "regime change wars." | Ordered strikes on Syria (2017, 2018). Anti-interventionist rhetoric but aggressive military posture (Iran, Operation Epic Fury). | Aligned on anti-interventionist rhetoric. Has not publicly broken with Trump on Iran or Epic Fury. |
| Trump's First Impeachment | Voted "present" rather than "yes" or "no." Only Democrat not to vote for impeachment. Called the process "partisan." | Called impeachment a "hoax" and "witch hunt." Sought expungement. | Fully aligned. Released declassified documents alleging the impeachment was based on a "concocted false narrative." Sent criminal referrals to DOJ. |
| Edward Snowden | Praised Snowden's disclosures. Introduced legislation to reform NSA surveillance based on Snowden's revelations. | Initially called Snowden a "spy" who should be "executed." Later softened, suggesting a pardon. | Shifted. Called Snowden's actions a "treasonous betrayal" during confirmation hearings. |
| Russia / Election Interference | Called by Clinton a "Russian asset" (2019). No evidence produced. No FBI investigation opened. Sued Clinton for defamation. | Called Russian collusion narrative a "hoax." Sought better relations with Russia during first term. | Fully aligned. Released declassified documents discrediting the 2017 Russia ICA. Passed the most rigorous background check in the federal government to become DNI. |
| Red = Broke with Trump | Gold = Silent / No public position | Green = Aligned with Trump Sources: Congressional voting records, NPR, BBC, Fox News, Daily Caller, Politico, Punchbowl News, ABC News, ODNI press releases, Senate confirmation testimony. |
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When Trump nominated Gabbard, I knew she would be in for a tough confirmation because Democrats made her the enemy, and there were more than a few in the Republican Party who did not trust her.
Gabbard met the challenge head-on during the confirmation hearings, stating:
“Those who oppose my nomination imply that I am loyal to something or someone other than God, my own conscience and the constitution of the United States, accusing me of being Trump’s puppet, Putin’s puppet, Assad’s puppet, a guru’s puppet, Modi’s puppet, not recognizing the absurdity of simultaneously being the puppet of five different puppet masters.”
She continued:
“The fact is, what truly unsettles my political opponents is I refuse to be their puppet. I have no love for Assad or Gaddafi or any dictator. I just hate al-Qaida. I hate that we have leaders who cozy up to Islamist extremists.”
When push came to shove, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was the only Republican to oppose her nomination. It did appear that many Republicans approved her nomination more out of loyalty to Trump than support of Gabbard. McConnell cited Gabbard’s reluctance to give a straight answer while she was being grilled about Edward Snowden.
Since being installed as the DNI, Gabbard has had some major moments, most notably her position on Iran’s ability to produce a nuclear weapon, publishing the impeachment documents, and making a criminal referral for the 2019 whistleblower, which drew the outrage of Democrats. The documents revealed that the whistleblower had no firsthand knowledge of Trump's call with Zelensky, that one of the key witnesses was a co-author of the 2017 Russia ICA who had worked alongside disgraced FBI agent Peter Strzok, and that the whistleblower had lied about contacting Democratic staff before filing the complaint. The DOJ had reviewed the complaint and found no basis for a criminal case, but IG Atkinson ignored their guidance and transmitted it to Congress anyway. Then, of course, there was the recent reported break against Trump regarding FISA.
Gabbard has been an advocate for FISA reform for as long as I can remember, and that position has not changed.
According to a recent Politico report, Gabbard had reservations about renewing key authorities without reforms being put in place.
She reportedly expressed these concerns to Trump during a recent meeting, but was ultimately unsuccessful, and Trump urged Congress to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act for an additional 18 months.
One of my main concerns about Gabbard as the DNI was that she was in direct opposition to Trump on some fairly notable positions. That being the case, I, and many others, wondered if she would hold back information to prevent Trump from moving forward with an attack if the president deemed it necessary.
Oddly enough, a complaint had been filed against Gabbard on this very subject, which Gabbard had rejected as baseless. Gabbard maintained the IG’s office rejected the complaint, and ODNI’s general counsel, Jack Dever, also rejected the whistleblower attorney’s accusations regarding the complaint being hidden from Congress. Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, went further, publicly accusing Gabbard of "hiding" the complaint from Congress, though Gabbard's office rejected that characterization.
If you ask me if I think Gabbard is a spy, as Democrats have insinuated, I will tell you no. But I had obvious concerns about her from day one.
I opposed her nomination, and I continue to stand by that. However, the smear pushed by Democrats cannot go unchallenged. This woman is a decorated military officer and combat veteran, not a Russian asset. She has passed every possible background check this country has, so the accusation is ridiculous.
Is Gabbard loyal to America? Of that, I have no doubt. Is she loyal to the conservative principles she now represents? Well, just look at the table. On guns, she has remained silent. On healthcare, she is silent, but that should not be a surprise considering she once backed Bernie Sanders for president. On climate, she is silent. On FISA, she broke with Trump. And to be clear, I think FISA needs a serious overhaul, but as Trump's DNI, she needs to be on the same page with him on this particular issue. Her concerns should have been voiced and acted upon before now. That, in my opinion, is a horrible failure on her part.
Tulsi Gabbard is not and never was a conservative. She became an ally to Trump out of necessity because she burned every bridge in her war against the Democrat Party. She was a moderate liberal without an island, and Trump threw her a lifeline. But I believe he went too far when he offered her a coveted role in the administration.
I wish I were wrong in my initial assessment of Gabbard. There is still time, and perhaps I will be proven wrong. But I believe my other prediction will come true first, that being Gabbard being asked for her resignation or being outright fired.
