President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will appoint former US Representative Tulsi Gabbard – the ex-Democrat from Hawaii – as his Director of National Intelligence (DNI).

Gabbard is among the last of Trump’s selections for key positions after his victory in the presidential race against Vice President Kamala Harris last week, when he swept the battleground states and captured 312 Electoral College votes.

“For more than twenty years, Tulsi has fought for our country and the freedoms of all Americans. As a former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, she has broad support in both parties,” Trump wrote in a statement announcing Gabbard as his choice.

“She is now a proud Republican! I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that defined her illustrious career to our intelligence community, standing up for our constitutional rights and securing peace through strength. Tulsi will make us all proud!” Trump added.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Political Position

Gabbard entered national politics as a Democrat in 2012 and won an election to represent Hawaii in Congress. She would serve in the House of Representatives until 2021 and became known for espousing anti-war foreign policy positions. During her term, she joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus and served for three years as vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

She endorsed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, building her support among more progressive Democrats who agreed with her on foreign policy. She ran unsuccessfully in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries and ultimately endorsed President Joe Biden.

After leaving office, however, Gabbard became increasingly critical of the Democratic Party and officially left it in 2022. In a statement at the time, she said the party was controlled by an “elitist cabal of warmongers.”

Gabbard officially became a Republican last month. “For those of you here or those watching at home who are independent-minded people like me, who love our country and are committed to the Constitution and to freedom, the Democratic Party has no home for people like us,” Gabbard said as he announced her new party. “But we do have a home in the Republican Party, where we are welcomed with open arms by President Trump.”

What did Tulsi Gabbard say about Bashar al-Assad?

When Gabbard served in the House of Representatives, she came under scrutiny for her comments about Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after meeting him during a “fact-finding mission” in Syria in 2017.

In 2019, she told MSNBC that she does not believe Assad is an enemy of the US. She argued against US intervention in Syria, arguing that it does not threaten national security.

“Assad is not the enemy of the United States because Syria does not pose a direct threat to the United States,” she said. “My point is that whether it’s Syria or any of these other countries, we have to look at how their interests conflict or align with ours.”

Gabbard has also described Assad as a “brutal dictator.”

DNI meaning: What are the duties of the Director of National Intelligence?

The director of national intelligence is charged with overseeing the intelligence community and implementing the National Intelligence Program budget, according to the agency.

If confirmed to his position, Gabbard would also serve as a key adviser to Trump, the National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council on matters related to national security.

“In collaboration with the Deputy Director of the DNI and with the assistance of Mission Managers and Deputy Directors, the purpose of the Office of the DNI is to effectively integrate foreign, military, and domestic intelligence in defense of the homeland and interests of the United States abroad,” the agency said. website reads.

Trump’s Cabinet Picks

The president-elect has announced a number of key appointments since his victory.

Trump announced Wednesday that he would appoint U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida as his attorney general and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, also of Florida, as secretary of state.

He plans to appoint South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to head the Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Representative Michael Waltz of Florida as National Security Advisor; U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik of New York as United Nations Ambassador; former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York to head the Environmental Protection Agency; and Fox News host Pete Hegseth becomes head of the Defense Department.

The president-elect also named his campaign senior adviser Susie Wiles as chief of staff and Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff for policy, two positions that do not require Senate confirmation.