By Daniel Albano 
Photo Credit: Jeenah Moon/Reuters
On Wednesday, February 12th, 2025 the Senate officially confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Security. Along with many of President Trump’s other cabinet appointments, Gabbard has received mixed responses from many Americans. Gabbard’s confirmation sparked widespread curiosity and discourse, particularly due to her previous criticism of both the Republicans and Democrats, which has raised questions from both sides about how she will navigate her role as Director of National Security.
Who is Tulsi Gabbard?
Tulsi Gabbard was born on April 12, 1981 in American Samoa. From a young age, Gabbard has advocated for political change. As a teenager, she co-founded Healthy Hawaii Coalition (HHC), a non-profit organization that aims to protect the environment and improve individual and community health. In 2002, Gabbard became the youngest person ever elected to the Hawaii state legislature, representing District 42 in West Oahu through 2004. Amidst her term, Gabbard enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard. In July 2004, she was deployed for a 12-month tour in Iraq. Five years after her Iraq tour, Gabbard was deployed to Kuwait where she trained counterterrorism units. She has since stated that her military service has shaped her life and political philosophy. After her military service, Gabbard decided to run for the United States House of Representatives under Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District. After winning a contested primary, Gabbard served Hawaii’s 2nd District from 2013 to 2021, becoming the first American Samoan Congresswoman and first practicing Hindu member of Congress. In 2019, she announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States but suspended her campaign in March 2020.
Gabbard’s Term in Congress
During her term in Congress, Gabbard voted on a range of issues. On the issue of immigration, Gabbard voted in favor of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act which granted amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants working as farmers. Conversely, she voted in favor of Kate’s Law which increased criminal penalties for illegal immigrants who reenter the United States as well as the Homeland Security Improvement Act which aims to strengthen the Department of Homeland Security and act upon border security. Concerning the issue of women’s reproductive rights, Gabbard voted against the Women’s Public Health and Safety Act which aimed to defund organizations like Planned Parenthood that provide abortion services and other reproductive health care. She also voted in favor of universal background checks for firearms. Towards the end of her term in Congress, Gabbard decided not to vote on the articles of the impeachment of President Trump in 2019. She stated that she couldn’t vote for the “culmination of a partisan process, fueled by tribal animosities that have so gravely divided our country.”
Gabbard Leaves the Democratic Party
In 2022, Gabbard made a surprising decision to leave the Democratic Party and become an independent. She announced her decision on X, saying the party represents “the powerful elite,” not the people. She later endorsed President Trump in 2024 and appeared at many of his campaign rallies. Since leaving the Democratic Party and endorsing President Trump, Gabbard has shifted many of her positions. She has pivoted her pro-choice stance and criticized the Biden Administration for arresting and indicting anti-abortion activists who blocked access to a clinic in 2022. Gabbard’s stance on firearms has changed as well. She supported the recent Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruein which affirmed the Second Amendment right to carry a handgun for self-defense in public, not just at home. Her anti-interventionist stance on foreign policy, however, has remained consistent. While Gabbard’s political positions now fall closer in line with the conservative agenda, Republicans such as Senator Mitch McConnell still question her ideological consistency. McConnell voted against Gabbard’s nomination in February, saying that she has shown “alarming lapses of judgment” and “failed to demonstrate that she is prepared to assume this tremendous national trust.”
Reactions to Gabbard’s Appointment
Gabbard’s appointment has received differing reactions from both sides of the aisle. Some Democratic lawmakers have expressed concern over Gabbard’s appointment. In a recent interview, Representative Jason Crow (CO-6), claimed Gabbard is a vocal supporter of Russia and a threat to U.S. intelligence. Democrats in the Senate, such as Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, claimed Gabbard’s “frequent praise” of Russia and her secret meetings with Syria’s president, a key Russian ally, may be a conflict to her serving as Director of National Security. During Gabbard’s confirmation hearing, Senate Democrats forced a delay in the process, saying that she hadn’t provided the required vetting materials. Republicans denounced this move by Senate Democrats, claiming that the criticism from Democrats is rooted in the fact that Gabbard left the Democratic Party and became an ally of President Trump.
On the other side of the aisle, Republican lawmakers have demonstrated support for Gabbard’s nomination to President Trump’s cabinet. Republicans have denounced claims that Gabbard is a Russian asset and continue to praise her nomination. Overall, polls show that about 2 in 10 Americans approve of the president’s pick of Gabbard while about 3 in 10 disapprove. The rest either do not know enough to form an opinion or maintain a neutral stance on Gabbard’s nomination. Although she was eventually confirmed as Director of National Security, Gabbard went through a rigorous battle during the confirmation process that lasted months.
Gabbard’s Plan as Director of National Security
As Director of National Security, Gabbard will be tasked with overseeing and coordinating all intelligence agencies, providing intelligence analyses to the president, and acting as the primary advisor on national security intelligence matters. Gabbard has not released an official agenda for her role as Director of National Security, however, her past positions provide insight into the direction she is likely to take. Throughout her career, Gabbard has opposed regime-change wars and has criticized both political parties for their support of military interventions. It can be expected for Gabbard to follow a similarly restrained approach in her new role as Director of National Security. That said, Gabbard has described herself as a “war hawk” when it comes to combating terrorism and advocates for the use of counterterrorism strategies.
Gabbard’s View on the Russia-Ukraine War
Gabbard has been critical of the Biden Administration’s involvement in the Russia-Ukraine War. In the past, Gabbard has suggested that Russia had justification for sending troops into Ukraine. She also has backed Russian claims that the U.S. and Ukraine were partaking in dangerous biological research before the war. Gabbard has since rolled back her stance on these claims after they were proven false, stating that she was referring to traditional public health research and not secret biology labs. Despite this, the Russian media continues to praise Gabbard. She has also criticized the Ukrainian government under President Zelenskyy as being a “corrupt autocracy.” Gabbard has faced questioning from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers concerning her relationship with Russia. When asked by Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas if she would give Russia “a pass” if confirmed, she responded by stating, “Senator, I’m offended by the question because my sole focus, commitment and responsibility is about our own nation, our own security and the interests of the American people. No country, group or individual will get a pass.”
On February 28th, President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a tense exchange at the Oval Office, as they disagreed over the terms of U.S. military aid to Ukraine and the path to peace. Zelenskyy was eventually asked to leave early, before he and President Trump could sign a mineral deal. Following the heated exchange, Gabbard wrote on X, “Thank you @realDonaldTrump for your unwavering leadership in standing up for the interests of the American people, and peace. What you said is absolutely true: Zelenskyy has been trying to drag the United States into a nuclear war with Russia/WW3 for years now, and no one has.” Gabbard also accused European nations of hypocrisy for supporting Ukraine while implementing “anti-freedom” policies. She emphasized that the overturning of elections in the UK, Germany, and even Romania undermines democracy and represents an “anti-freedom” stance. Moving forward, Gabbard’s role as Director of National Intelligence will continue to be impactful for both the Trump Administration and the country as a whole.