How proud Hindu Tulsi Gabbard became Trump's Director of ...

Today, she’s not just any politician; she’s the first Hindu in Congress, an anti-war military vet, and now, Trump’s controversial pick for Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Tulsi Gabbard’s political journey has all the twists of a thriller. Born in American Samoa, raised in Hawaii, and now rubbing elbows with conservative America, she’s not just any politician.

Tulsi Gabbard’s

political evolution

could rival a soap opera in its twists and turns. She burst onto the scene as the first

Hindu

elected to the US . Congress—Hawaiian, Hindu, but not Indian. Her career has been anything but predictable, morphing from an anti-establishment progressive to a Trump-backing conservative in what felt like record time. Today, she’s not just any politician; she’s the

first Hindu in Congress

, an anti-war military vet, and now, Trump’s controversial pick for

Director of National Intelligence

(DNI). Tulsi Gabbard’s political journey has all the twists of a thriller. Born in American Samoa, raised in Hawaii, and now rubbing elbows with conservative America, she’s not just any politician.First Hindu in Congress? Check.Anti-war military vet? Check.

Bernie Sanders cheerleader turned Trump loyalist? You better believe it.

Youngest Legislator to Anti-Interventionist Crusader

Gabbard’s journey began early. At just 21, she became Hawaii's youngest state legislator and quickly moved on to Congress, representing Hawaii for four terms while serving as a major in the Army National Guard. Her deployment in Iraq and Kuwait crystallized her anti-interventionist stance—a view she holds steadfastly, even when it puts her at odds with the establishment. It’s why she famously met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2017, calling it “fact-finding”—a move that sparked controversy and suspicion about her approach to diplomacy.

Breaking Up with the Democrats

In 2016, Gabbard made her first major break from the Democratic Party, resigning as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee to support Bernie Sanders. But by 2022, she was done with the party altogether, calling it an “elitist cabal of warmongers.” From pro-Sanders to pro-Trump, Gabbard’s transformation baffled many of her early supporters, cementing her reputation as one of the most unpredictable figures in modern American politics.

The Harris Takedown: Gabbard’s Defining Moment

If there’s one moment that cemented Gabbard’s reputation as a fierce, no-nonsense debater, it was her takedown of Kamala Harris during the 2020 Democratic primary debates. In a few brutal minutes, Gabbard dissected Harris’s record as a prosecutor, highlighting her role in jailing over 1,500 people for marijuana violations, allegedly keeping prisoners beyond their sentences for cheap labor, and propping up a cash bail system that disproportionately affected the poor. Harris, who had been a frontrunner, stumbled visibly under Gabbard’s relentless critique, and her campaign never quite recovered. For Gabbard, it was a strategic win that boosted her reputation as a candidate unafraid to challenge her own party—and for Harris, the beginning of the end.

America First, NATO Last?

On foreign policy, Gabbard is famously skeptical of US . involvement overseas. She’s criticized NATO’s role in the Ukraine conflict, arguing that America should avoid entangling itself in other nations’ affairs unless directly threatened. This stance has endeared her to the Trump base but alienated more traditional hawks on both sides of the aisle.

The Desi Connection

Gabbard took her oath on the Bhagavad Gita and represented Hawaii. As a devout Hindu, she pledged support for Prime Minister Modi’s initiative to establish an International Yoga Day, seeing yoga as a path to promote health and peace. Gabbard shared the Bhagavad Gita with Modi, highlighting the West’s limited understanding of ancient Vedic knowledge.On Kashmir, she acknowledged the region’s historical complexity and stressed that resolution must come internally, respecting India's sovereignty. Facing challenges due to her Hindu identity, Gabbard criticized religious profiling in U.S. politics, condemning allegations of her being a “Hindu nationalist.” She advocates for inclusivity, warning against religious bigotry in America.Reflecting on the Gita, she described it as a spiritual “lifeline” during turbulent times, including her military service. Her message on Janmashtami emphasized the Gita’s guidance through life’s challenges. In 2021, Gabbard condemned religious violence in Bangladesh, urging for the protection of minorities and expressing sorrow over attacks on Hindus, urging respect for religious diversity worldwide.

The Intelligence Leap: Trump’s Pick for DNI

Now, Gabbard has landed in Trump’s orbit as his nominee for Director of National Intelligence (DNI). Her role will involve overseeing the nation’s 18 intelligence agencies, from the CIA to the NSA, and providing Trump with critical security insights. Her appointment to such a high-stakes position has raised eyebrows, given her lack of direct experience in intelligence. Still, Trump values her commitment to civil liberties and cautious foreign engagement, seeing her as a fresh, nontraditional fit for the role.

What Does a DNI Actually Do?

As DNI, Gabbard will coordinate intelligence operations across agencies, set national security priorities, and brief the President on key threats. She’ll also oversee counterintelligence, manage intelligence budgets, and ensure that intelligence activities align with US . values. It’s a role demanding sharp insight and composure—a test for Gabbard, whose anti-interventionist stance will face new challenges in the intelligence world.

Tulsi Gabbard: America’s Most Unclassifiable Politician

Gabbard defies easy categorization. She’s Hindu but not Indian, a Democrat turned Trump ally, and an anti-interventionist now at the helm of US . intelligence. Her political life is one of constant reinvention, at a time when American politics often resists fluidity. Beyond politics, Gabbard is a known fitness enthusiast, often spotted surfing in Hawaii or lifting weights. Her dedication to working out—and her penchant for sharing photos of her routines—has even earned her the label of a “thirst trap,” adding to her multifaceted public image.

Whether driven by strategic repositioning or ideological conviction, Tulsi Gabbard’s journey exemplifies the complex and shifting lines of American politics, with each new chapter only adding to her enigmatic allure.