Explainer: Getting to know Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick to serve as Director of National Intelligence

Tulsi Gabbard, 43, has served in the U.S. military since 2003. She was deployed to Iraq in 2004 and 2005 for the Hawaii Army National Guard. In 2008 and 2009, she served in Kuwait.

Her political career began in 2013 as a representative for Hawaii in the U.S. House until 2021. She served on the House Armed Services Committee.

Although a candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, Gabbard left the Democratic Party in 2022, became an Independent and then joined the Republican Party in 2024.

She is President Donald Trump’s pick for Director of National Intelligence [DNI] and appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence for a confirmation hearing Thursday morning.

“I think it’s fair to say that Ms. Gabbard’s nomination has generated a bit more interest and attention than do most nominees before this committee,” said Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chair Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas. “But, I want to stress, that Ms. Gabbard has been and will be treated with the exact same respect, consideration and professionalism that we extended to every nominee.”

In keeping with committee customs and rules for confirmation hearings, Gabbard responded to 247 written questions prior to Thursday’s confirmation hearing.

Cotton said he wanted to make two observations. Cotton, who served nearly five years with the U.S. Army after Sept. 11, said he is dismayed by attacks on Gabbard’s patriotism and loyalty to the United States.

“It’s fine that we have differences of opinions on policies and programs. I suspect some of my Republican colleagues might disagree with some of Ms. Gabbard’s votes in the House of Representatives, just as I suspect that some of my Democratic colleagues might criticize Ms. Gabbard’s comments and actions since she ‘saw the light’ and left the Democratic Party,” Cotton said.

Cotton’s other observation was comments that Gabbard has “unconventional views.”

Committee Vice Chair Sen. Mark R. Warner of Virginia applauded Gabbard for her military service and interest to continue to serve the U.S.

“Most folks probably don’t understand the importance of [Director of National Intelligence]. If confirmed, you would lead 18 agencies of the [intelligence community],” Warner said.

The director also serves as an advisor to the president, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council “for all intelligence matters related to national security.” A budget of more than $100 billion is the responsibility of the director.

“It’s a position of great importance and significance to our national security, created after one of our worst national security failures: 9/11,” Warner said.

As such, the position requires someone with a background in intelligence and Warner said he continues to have concerns about Gabbard’s judgment and qualifications.

Part of intelligence is sharing information within the American community and with allied nations.

“It appears to me that you have repeatedly excused our adversaries’ worst actions, and, instead, often blamed them on the United States and those very allies,” Warner said.

According to Warner, in 2022, Gabbard blamed NATO when Russia invaded Ukraine. For Warner, Gabbard has defended the actions of several dictators around the world. He is concerned whether allied nations would feel they could trust Gabbard with information.

“Make no mistake about it, if they stop sharing that intelligence, the United States will be less safe,” Warner said.

Warner cited the example from August 2024 when intelligence information shared was able to prevent a terrorist attack at Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna, Austria.

Warner said that Gabbard has expressed support for National Security Agency contractor and self-described whistleblower Edward Snowden, for whom she has put forward legislation to pardon.

“The truth is the vast majority of the information he stole and leaked before running off to China and Russia, might I add, had nothing to do with American’s privacy, and compromised our most important sources and methods,” Warner said of Snowden. “And, in many ways, we’re still paying a price for [what he did].”

Warner added that Snowden’s actions put American military in Iran and Iraq at risk.

Gabbard has expressed that Snowden’s guilt is not up to the DNI.

“That is troubling to me in so many ways,” Warner said. He said the DNI has “a significant role” in determining who is a whistleblower.

In introducing Gabbard, retired, and former committee chair, Sen. Richard Burr, said he supported Gabbard’s confirmation.

Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado said the committee decides whether Gabbard is confirmed for the nomination and asked Cotton whether the committee could a have better candidate for the position of DNI.

“Obviously, we didn’t select this nominee,” Bennet said.

During her Senate confirmation hearing, Gabbard said she chose to serve in the military after the terrorist attacks in New York on Sept. 11, 2001.