President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as the next Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Gabbard, a 43-year-old veteran of the United States Army National Guard, represented Hawaii's second congressional district as a Democrat for four terms from 2013 and 2021. She rose to prominence in 2020 during the Democratic presidential primary before leaving the party to become an independent in 2022 due to dissatisfaction with the party and its ideology. She joined the Republican Party in October 2024 after endorsing Trump.
In line with this, Trump has selected her for the DNI role in his incoming second administration.
"I am pleased to announce that former congresswoman, Lt. Col. Tulsi Gabbard, will serve as Director of National Intelligence. For over two decades, Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedoms of all Americans," Trump said in a press statement on Nov. 13. (Related: Trump picks generic Republican warmonger for national security advisor.)
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) oversees the U.S. intelligence community and serves as a central coordinating body for agencies like the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the National Security Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Gabbard, who joined the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2003 and served two tours in Iraq, currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserve and her military and legislative experience is being touted as beneficial for her incoming role.
"As a former candidate for the Democrat presidential nomination, she has broad support in both parties - She is now a proud Republican," Trump stated. "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."
Former DNI John Ratcliffe will be the next CIA director of Trump
This announcement was made a day after Trump named former director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe as his next CIA director.
Ratcliffe was initially nominated as DNI in 2019 by Trump. However, he experienced pushback over questions regarding his qualifications and allegations of exaggerating his national security experience. But after the withdrawal, Trump re-nominated him again in 2020, leading to a narrow Senate confirmation along party lines.
In turn, Ratcliffe, a staunch Trump ally, served as the DNI from 2020 to 2021 during the first term of Trump. At that time, Ratcliffe released unverified information about Russian interference during the 2016 election, despite opposition from intelligence officials.
Ratcliffe was also involved in critical moments during his tenure as DNI, including informing Trump and his allies that there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud or foreign interference in the 2020 election. This testimony later became central to a federal grand jury investigation by special counsel Jack Smith. In turn, his loyalty has gained Trump's trust.
"From exposing fake Russian collusion to be a Clinton campaign operation, to catching the FBI’s abuse of civil liberties at the FISA court, John Ratcliffe has always been a warrior for truth and honesty with the American public," Trump said on Nov. 12.
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