Deepanwita Martin
Tulsi Gabbard’s Appointment Marks First Hindu to Lead U.S. Intelligence
President-elect Donald Trump has selected former Democratic congresswoman and Army Reserve lieutenant colonel Tulsi Gabbard as the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI), a groundbreaking appointment that would make her the first Hindu to lead the U.S. intelligence community. Known for her staunch opposition to foreign interventions, Gabbard’s anti-war stance and recent switch to the Republican Party align with Trump’s broader vision of foreign policy and intelligence reform.
In his announcement, Trump praised Gabbard’s “fearless spirit” and “commitment to peace through strength,” a reflection of her unique approach to foreign policy that has questioned America’s military presence overseas. Her appointment underscores Trump’s preference for leaders who share his skepticism of U.S. foreign policy’s status quo.
Religious Identity and the Misconception of Indian Ancestry
Gabbard’s Hindu faith, practiced publicly throughout her career, has often led to a mistaken assumption that she is of Indian descent. Born in American Samoa and raised in Hawaii, Gabbard is actually of Samoan and European ancestry, not South Asian. Despite her lack of Indian heritage, her devotion to Hinduism has made her a unique figure in American politics, one of the first openly practicing Hindus to reach national office.
Gabbard has addressed this misconception multiple times, including in 2012, when she clarified, “I am not of Indian origin,” in response to a message identifying her as Indian-American. Her mother, Carol Porter Gabbard, became interested in Hinduism and raised her children in the faith, giving each a Hindu name, including Tulsi’s siblings Bhakti, Jai, Aryan, and Vrindavan. Gabbard is known for her practice of chanting “Hare Krishna,” a Hindu devotional chant that became viral on social media after her nomination as DNI.
Political Roots and the Journey from Democrat to Republican
Gabbard began her political career as a Democrat, entering the Hawaii House of Representatives at just 21. Her experience includes four terms in Congress, where she gained national attention as a unique voice in the Democratic Party, especially due to her outspoken opposition to U.S. military actions abroad. Her backing of Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Democratic primaries made her a rising figure among progressives. In 2020, she launched her own presidential bid with a message focused on reducing U.S. military involvement and challenging the “war machine” in Washington.
However, by 2022, Gabbard left the Democratic Party, saying it had become unrecognizable from the party she had once supported, labeling it an “elitist cabal of warmongers” and criticizing what she described as “cowardly wokeness.” After endorsing Trump, she formally joined the Republican Party, drawing a significant cross-party following, especially from conservatives skeptical of American interventionism.
Public Spat with Clinton: Russian Agent Accusations
One of the most high-profile controversies of Gabbard’s career came in 2019, when Hillary Clinton suggested without naming her that Gabbard was a “favorite of the Russians” and being “groomed” as a third-party candidate to undermine Democrats. Clinton’s remark sparked intense media scrutiny and backlash from Gabbard, who fired back by calling Clinton “the queen of warmongers” and the “personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party.”
Gabbard’s response underscored her strong opposition to the Democratic establishment, accusing Clinton and her allies of attempting to “destroy” her reputation to protect entrenched interests. The incident further solidified Gabbard’s outsider status within mainstream Democratic circles and foreshadowed her eventual departure from the party.
Military Background and the Move to Intelligence
A veteran with over two decades of military service, Gabbard has deployed to Iraq and Kuwait with the Army National Guard, earning recognition with the Combat Medical Badge. While she lacks high-level intelligence experience, her time on the House Homeland Security Committee and her perspective as a combat veteran bring a distinct background to the DNI role.
If confirmed, Gabbard will oversee 18 U.S. intelligence agencies, manage the President’s Daily Brief, and serve as Trump’s principal intelligence adviser, working alongside CIA Director nominee John Ratcliffe. Her appointment is expected to bring a fresh perspective to U.S. intelligence, particularly given her criticisms of the “deep state” and her commitment to transparency within the national security framework.
Challenges Ahead in an Ambitious Intelligence Restructure
Trump’s selection of Gabbard is part of his wider plans to reshape U.S. intelligence agencies, addressing what he sees as a lack of accountability and loyalty within the intelligence community. He has often criticized what he describes as “deep state” actors within the agencies who, in his view, have undermined his administration. Gabbard’s leadership is expected to reflect Trump’s goals of reducing intelligence agency overreach, enhancing transparency, and focusing on American sovereignty.
Since its establishment after the 9/11 attacks, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence has been tasked with coordinating intelligence across agencies, improving cybersecurity, and countering foreign threats, including disinformation from Russia, China, and Iran. Gabbard’s selection signals a shift that could impact the DNI’s approach to international relations, domestic surveillance, and counterterrorism.
Recent Controversy: Alleged Watchlist Addition by Biden Administration
Recently, rumors emerged that Gabbard had been placed on a terror watchlist by the Biden-Harris administration, though specific details remain unconfirmed. This alleged development has raised questions about her role and the potential challenges she may face within the intelligence community.
As she steps into the role, Gabbard’s leadership style and unique background are expected to significantly influence the direction of the U.S. intelligence community under Trump’s administration. Her role will be closely watched as she seeks to implement Trump’s vision of a reformed, streamlined intelligence structure responsive to the needs of American security and sovereignty.