US President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday he’s selected former Democratic congresswoman-turned Trump supporter Tulsi Gabbard as his pick to be director of national intelligence, CNN reports.
Former Congresswoman and Lieutenant Colonel Tulsi Gabbard, a staunch supporter of Armenian issues, has been nominated as the new Director of National Intelligence (DNI) by President-elect Donald J. Trump. With a distinguished record of public service and military leadership spanning over two decades, Gabbard brings a fearless, mission-driven approach to safeguarding the nation’s intelligence community, according to Zartonk Media.
A four-term Congresswoman, 2020 presidential candidate, and NYT Bestselling Author, Gabbard has served with distinction in the U.S. Army Reserve, including three deployments to the Middle East and Africa. Currently a Lieutenant Colonel, she leads as Battalion Commander of the 1/354 Regiment.
Known for her bipartisan appeal and commitment to putting country before party, Gabbard’s career is marked by a steadfast dedication to constitutional rights and national security. Entering politics at the age of 21 as a member of the Hawaii State House of Representatives, she enlisted in the Army National Guard following the 9/11 attacks, serving with honor on multiple deployments.
During her tenure in Congress, Gabbard served on the Armed Services, Homeland Security, and Foreign Affairs Committees, championing the rights and well-being of veterans and service members. After leaving the Democrat Party in 2022 to become an Independent, she formally joined the Republican Party in 2024, inspired by President Trump’s leadership.
In 2017, while serving as a Congresswoman, Gabbard was part of a team of U.S. lawmakers that visited the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh, facing criticism from Azerbaijan for her support of the region. She has publicly accused Turkey of inciting and encouraging the 2020 Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Gabbard co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressing concern over Azerbaijan’s renewed sion against Artsakh and a potential conflict with Armenia, stating, “The United States must urge Azerbaijan to immediately end their attacks, and Turkey to cease its involvement both directly through the use of its armed forces, and indirectly by sending Al-Qaeda associated proxies to wipe out Nagorno-Karabakh’s Armenian population —a tactic Turkey used against Syrian Kurds.”
In 2019, Gabbard co-sponsored the Armenian Genocide Resolution alongside several other U.S. Senators and House Representatives to establish official U.S. recognition and permanent remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. Speaking on the 1915 mass killings, Gabbard remarked, “The Ottoman Empire was attempting to cleanse itself of the Armenian and Christian populations, and the US became home to many survivors.” Eventually, in 2021, President Joe Biden formally recognized the Ottoman-era mass killings of Armenians as a genocide.
President Trump expressed confidence in Gabbard’s fearless leadership, emphasizing her dedication to championing constitutional rights and national security. He 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!”